Bad omen for Michael Carrick as Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'set to attend Chelsea vs Manchester United'

Ratcliffe will attend Chelsea vs Manchester United on Saturday as Carrick fights to save his job; the minority shareholder's previous in-person visits have coincided with United defeats.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Manchester United face Chelsea in a crucial fixture for under-pressure manager Michael Carrick. The Red Devils are without a win in eight games across all competitions, prompting speculation about Carrick's future, but Manchester United's board decided on Monday to give him more time in the role.

Ratcliffe's presence may prove an unwelcome omen for Carrick. The minority shareholder's recent in-person visits have coincided with defeats: a controversial derby loss to Manchester City in September, a 2-1 home loss to Leeds United, and two losses at Stamford Bridge under both Erik ten Hag and Carrick, including a 1-0 defeat earlier this season when Cole Palmer scored a late winner. Ratcliffe has admitted to a "split allegiance" between Chelsea and Manchester United, having been a Chelsea season ticket holder for years while also owning a stake in United.