Michael Carrick and Bruno Fernandes held clear-the-air talks on Tuesday after the Manchester United’s captain criticised the manager’s tactics last week, with him now expected to start at Chelsea on Saturday.
Carrick and Fernandes met before training on Tuesday morning at United’s Carrington training base. The 32-year-old, it is understood, offered the manager assurances that he is fully committed and intent on trying to turn the team’s season around. There was also a squad meeting with Carrick at which the rest of the players made the same vow.
Dismal results have left Carrick’s job in the balance. Later on Tuesday it emerged that the 45-year-old will remain in charge for the trip to Chelsea after Jason Wilcox, the director of football, decided he should be given more time.
But to remain as the head coach for the long-term, Carrick has to start winning games. So having dropped Fernandes, who is considered United’s best player, for Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth due to the criticism, him now being available for Chelsea is a considerable boost.
After last Wednesday’s 4-1 loss at Como , Fernandes questioned the team’s strategy. “It’s a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man,” he said. As Carrick decides tactics this was seen as a direct attack on the manager.
On Wednesday morning Kobbie Mainoo was back in training after missing the last four games due to injury.
Carrick’s side have won twice in 12 games and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton. United are 16th in the Premier League, a point above the relegation zone.
United host Roma in the Champions League three days after playing Chelsea, then Aston Villa in the league the following Sunday before a two-week international window, which would offer a longer period for the board to assess the situation.
Carrick’s reprieve may be a move to allow time for Wilcox to secure a replacement should the decision be taken to sack him. The director of football’s prime candidate is Eddie Howe, the former Newcastle manager, while Christopher Vivell, the head of recruitment, favours the former Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
