Man United took the wrong lesson to leave Michael Carrick with this thankless task

Carrick survives the sack despite eight games without a win and a falling-out with Bruno Fernandes, but faces Chelsea next with a punishing fixture list ahead.

Manchester United's decision-makers chose not to sack Michael Carrick on Monday, despite an eight-game winless run including consecutive defeats to Como and Bournemouth. Carrick was at Carrington with chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox, took training on Tuesday, and will manage against Chelsea on Saturday.

The decision came after Carrick appeared to have reached a point of no return, particularly following a public falling-out with captain Bruno Fernandes over tactics, which led to the reigning Footballer of the Year being benched. However, Carrick's character and essential decency—contrasted with perceptions of predecessor Ruben Amorim as erratic—appear to have worked in his favour. Supporters sang his name after Sunday's match, though the article suggests this may have been a farewell rather than a vote of confidence.

The fixture list offers little respite: Chelsea away next, followed by Roma and Aston Villa, both in form. The international break in late November could be a natural point for change if results don't improve. Carrick also faces the immediate challenge of deciding whether to recall Fernandes and repair their relationship.