Michael Carrick looks set to remain in charge at Manchester United. Photo: Manchester United / X
Michael Carrick appeared set to be sacked, however, the under-fire Manchester United head coach is reportedly staying at Old Trafford, at least for another week.
Carrick was seemingly on the brink of leaving United following the club’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League – a result that left the embattled giants eight games without a win in all competitions and a point above the relegation zone.
However, reports claim United have opted to give Carrick another opportunity to turn their season around following discussions involving CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, who are under mounting pressure from fans and pundits.
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Carrick is expected to oversee Saturday’s Premier League showdown with rivals Chelsea, although questions remain over his long-term future and the club’s search for a potential successor.
Has Michael Carrick been sacked by Manchester United?
Former United and England midfielder Carrick has not been sacked, with several British media outlets reporting the Red Devils have decided to retain their head coach for Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the decision followed high-level discussions involving Berrada, Wilcox and the club’s ownership.
Carrick arrived at United’s Carrington training complex on Tuesday morning and conducted training as usual, having also attended an Under-21 match against Hull City the previous day.
#mufc initially planned on dismissing Carrick but inability to find common ground on a replacement has reprieved him. Was unclear on Monday night whether he’d take training before club confirmed he would stay 40 hours after FT vs Bournemouth https://t.co/UDvvDbgLC0
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 27, 2026
The decision comes amid United’s worst start to a league campaign in 40 years, with just two victories from their opening 12 matches across all competitions.
United sit 16th in the Premier League, only one point above the relegation zone, following consecutive heavy defeats to Como in the UEFA Champions League and Bournemouth domestically.
While Carrick has survived the immediate threat of dismissal, reports suggest the club’s hierarchy will continue assessing their options should results fail to improve.
Why are Manchester United keeping Michael Carrick?
French journalist Julien Laurens suggested United’s decision may be influenced by the absence of an immediately available replacement.
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Laurens claimed the club had yet to establish a definitive alternative to Carrick amid links with former Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, ex-Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte.
“I was told that there’s no plan B [to Michael Carrick] for now,” Laurens said.
“So what’s the point for United to get rid of Carrick then appoint an interim coach between now and whenever they can appoint another permanent coach?
“May as well keep Carrick, half as the coach that he is right now, half as an interim coach until a potential plan B, whether that’s Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte, Unai Emery, whoever you want there.
“But right now, the plan B is not ready.”
“It’s not that they can’t find one [replacement], it’s just that this process of appointing somebody else if they decide to get rid of Carrick will take a bit of time, which is normal,” he added.
Meanwhile, prominent Manchester United reporter Samuel Luckhurst claimed the club’s hierarchy remain unconvinced by several potential successors, including Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte.
According to Luckhurst, writing in The Sun, there are also doubts over United’s ability to attract their preferred candidates, with Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler among the more difficult appointments.
“The best ones won’t come,” a source told Luckhurst, highlighting the challenges facing United as they assess their managerial options.
Finances could also complicate any decision to replace Carrick, particularly if United pursue Howe.
The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell highlighted the potential costs involved in dismissing Carrick and his backroom staff before appointing a successor.
United could also face a compensation payment to Newcastle should they move for Howe, with reports suggesting the total could run into several million pounds.
The combination of uncertainty over available candidates, the time required to secure a replacement and the potential financial implications could help explain why United are reportedly prepared to retain Carrick for now.
Michael Carrick will be given more time to turn Manchester United’s fortunes around, despite what felt like a farewell on Sunday. @lauriewhitwell speaks on a "surprising development" after the result against Bournemouth, and why finances could play a part in any decision to replace Carrick with Eddie Howe, a man "high in the thoughts" of the United hierarchy.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 27, 2026
Who could replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United?
Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann remain among the leading names linked with the Manchester United job should the club decide to make a change.
Howe has reportedly emerged as a prominent candidate, while Nagelsmann has also been discussed as a potential successor.
Antonio Conte and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery have been mentioned among the alternatives, although no appointment has been confirmed.
According to British reports, United have already considered potential replacements but have not reached the point of making an immediate change.
That leaves Carrick preparing for a vital clash with Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea.
What has Gary Neville said about Manchester United’s decision?
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville admitted he was surprised by the club’s decision to retain Carrick, having expected his former teammate to lose his job following the Bournemouth defeat.
“I am surprised, but I am happy because I was absolutely certain that what I witnessed on Sunday would be the end of Michael,” Neville told Sky Sports.
Neville believed Carrick’s reaction after the final whistle resembled a farewell to the Old Trafford supporters.
Carrick was serenaded by United fans, who then booed the players once the head coach left the pitch.
However, Neville welcomed the decision to give Carrick more time, while questioning whether United’s players could respond to the challenge.
“I am happy with it because the fact of the matter is it was very difficult on Sunday,” Neville said.
“How it is going to go over the next couple of weeks, I have no idea.
“But I hope he can somehow get those players to start playing for him again because they haven’t played for him in the last few weeks.”
What happens next for Michael Carrick and Manchester United?
Carrick’s immediate attention turns to Saturday’s Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea as United attempt to end their eight-match winless run.
The fixture represents another significant test for a side struggling for results and confidence, with the club’s hierarchy reportedly expecting an improvement in performances.
United then face Serie A outfit Roma in the Champions League before returning to Premier League action against in-form Aston Villa.
For now, Carrick remains in charge.
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