By CHRIS WHEELER, NORTHERN SPORTS WRITER
Published: | Updated:
Michael Carrick is staying as Manchester United head coach after being given the chance to turn the club’s season around.
Carrick will remain in charge for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea after Old Trafford bosses decided not to sack him.
The 45-year-old took charge of a first-team training session at Carrington on Tuesday morning despite intense speculation over his future.
Carrick arrived at the complex shortly before 8am dressed in a club tracksuit, and oversaw training as usual as the players returned after a day off.
He had also turned up at Carrington on Monday but was there to watch United’s Under-21s play in a behind-closed-doors game against Hull City alongside his No2 Steve Holland and Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher. He stayed for three hours before leaving with his son Jacey, a member of United’s Under-18s.
Michael Carrick arrived at Carrington to take training on Tuesday morning with his fate still up in the air - but the club have decided to keep him as manager
Carrick’s job has been hanging by a thread after losing half of his 12 games this season. United have made their worst start to a league campaign in 40 years, and have failed to win in eight games for the first time since 2015.
Carrick was visibly emotional after the defeat to Bournemouth when the fans gave him a rousing show of support while directing their fury at the Glazers, Ratcliffe, Wilcox and the players.
The former United midfielder appeared to say farewell to supporters afterwards, although he later insisted that was not the case.
It followed a heartfelt five-minute monologue to reporters at the start of his pre-match press conference on Friday, two days after he approached the travelling fans in Como to apologise for a 4-1 defeat.
After playing away in Spain and Italy over the last fortnight, United have a free week because they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton and aren’t in action again until Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge.