Manchester United round-up as the reasons behind Michael Carrick being kept on emerge
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is staying on as Manchester United boss(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United's chaotic season has taken a surprising twist after Michael Carrick was retained as head coach. Carrick was widely expected to be sacked in the aftermath of Sunday's home defeat to Bournemouth.
Amid obvious unrest in the dressing room, with both Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes making controversial statements, Carrick looked set to be the next Old Trafford managerial casualty. But after crunch talks involving chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owners the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Carrick will stay on for now.
Attention will now shift to his team selection for Saturday's game at Chelsea. Fernandes was dropped for the Bournemouth game after slamming Carrick's tactics in the Champions League defeat to Como and didn't even come off the bench.
As the plot thickens amid a troubled campaign, here's a round-up of the latest United news…
Fans' support key
United reportedly leaned towards keeping Carrick following the support he received from fans on Sunday. While supporters at Old Trafford ripped into the club's chiefs and owners, Carrick received a positive reception throughout.
He was cheered to the rafters as he made his way off the pitch before the players, who were roundly booed. While it wasn't the only factor in the decision, the support he received from fans didn't go unnoticed by the hierarchy, reports ESPN.
It has apparently hit home that the club's problems go much deeper than who is in the dugout. Doubts about some of the leading candidates for the job - Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann - also have played a part in the decision to stick with Carrick, reports The Sun.
Michael Carrick
Carrick has the support of United fans(Image: Getty Images)
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Rooney lets rip
Wayne Rooney has torn into United players, saying they haven't got a leg to stand on. In an explosive tirade, the club's record goalscorer said he would like to go into the dressing room and stick a firework "up their a****."
Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, he raged: "What's not fair is the performances they're giving. I looked at the fans, you could see the pain and anger in their faces when them players are walking around the football pitch.
"You see Martinez when Rayan ran round him, they're not getting to the ball, it's so frustrating. I could score a goal, had ability or whatever, I f****** ran and put myself about as a team. These players are not doing that.
Wayne Rooney pulled no punches in a foul-mouthed rant at the Manchester United players.
Wayne Rooney pulled no punches in a foul-mouthed rant(Image: Stick to United/YouTube)
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"I'd love to go in that dressing room, walk in that dressing room and say, 'What the f*** are use all doing? What type of performances do you think this is? Do you think you deserve to wear the shirt?' Put a f****** firework up their a**** because they're not doing anything.
"We're seeing players who are numb, look like they've got no emotion, look like they don't care. Some of them might care, some good lads who are getting dragged down. It's so frustrating to watch."
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