Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick is expected to take charge of the club’s upcoming Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday, according to sources speaking to ESPN. The 45‑year‑old arrived at the club’s training base early on Tuesday and led the squad’s session, which began at 11 a.m., as United prepare for the match at Stamford Bridge.
Carrick’s return to the dug‑out comes amid growing uncertainty over his long‑term future at Old Trafford. The club’s hierarchy has been exploring potential replacements after a run of eight games without a win, leaving United in 16th place in the league table—just one point above the relegation zone. The club’s senior staff, including CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, held meetings earlier in the day following a 3‑0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
The atmosphere at training was tense. United’s first‑team squad had been given a day off on Monday, but the players returned on Tuesday to find Carrick leading the session. Fans had shown strong support for the manager after the Bournemouth loss, with frustration largely directed at the players. Reports indicate that the squad was booed at the final whistle, and the players were seen following Carrick down the tunnel after he left skipper Bruno Fernandes on the bench. Fernandes, who was also at Carrington on Tuesday morning, had been named on the bench for the Bournemouth match but did not play, a decision Carrick defended as a “pure football” choice rather than punishment.
Carrick’s time as interim manager has been marked by criticism of his tactics, particularly after a controversial decision to name Fernandes as a substitute in a recent match. The Portugal international’s frustration was evident, and social media users noted a comment on his Instagram account that read, “never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care.” Carrick also spent time on Monday afternoon watching United’s under‑21 side in a behind‑closed‑doors friendly, signalling his ongoing involvement with the club’s development squad.
The upcoming fixture against Chelsea is part of a challenging run for United. They will face back‑to‑back home games against AS Roma and Aston Villa next week, followed by the November international break. The first match after the break will be a trip to Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November. With United’s worst start to a Premier League season in club history—only one win since the campaign began—the pressure on Carrick remains intense. The club’s leadership has reportedly considered potential replacements such as Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, and Antonio Conte, but Carrick is expected to steer the team through the upcoming weekend’s fixtures.