Michael Carrick avoids sack for now and will take charge of Man United game with Chelsea

Carrick survives the axe after eight games without a win and back-to-back heavy defeats, keeping his job for now ahead of Chelsea.

Michael Carrick has retained his position as Manchester United manager after the club decided against sacking him following a disastrous run of form. The 45-year-old's job appeared in serious jeopardy after Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, which came after a 4-1 loss to Como. United have now gone eight games without a win.

Sporting director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada met with Carrick on Monday and have opted to give him another chance to turn things around rather than make an immediate managerial change. Carrick took training on Tuesday as normal and will take charge for Saturday's trip to Chelsea. The club is believed to have begun identifying potential replacements, with Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte among those being considered.

Carrick's position remains precarious. He dropped captain Bruno Fernandes for the Bournemouth match after the Portugal international criticised his tactics during the Como game, and did not bring him off the bench. Despite the poor results, Carrick's name was sung by United supporters after the Bournemouth loss, even as they booed the players and directed criticism at the club's hierarchy.