Who: Chelsea vs Manchester United What: English Premier League Where: Stamford Bridge in London, United Kingdom When: Saturday, October 31 at 12:30pm ( ) How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will have all the build-up from With Manchester United fans on standby for news of Michael Carrick’s sacking this week, an unexpected show of patience has given the under-fire boss a new lease of life. When Carrick was pictured driving into United’s Carrington training base on Monday – just 24 hours after a miserable 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth – it was widely expected he would be dismissed within hours. Instead, United’s hierarchy sprang a major surprise by keeping Carrick, for now at least.
Whether Carrick can avoid becoming the third manager to be sacked by United powerbroker Ratcliffe since he purchased a minority stake in the club in 2024 remains in doubt. United have been in miserable form and sit just one point above the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s trip to fifth-placed Chelsea. Without a victory in eight games in all competitions – and off to their worst league start in 40 years – United must beat Chelsea to help Carrick stave off the axe.
But with captain Bruno Fernandes dropped last weekend after criticising Carrick’s tactics and defender Lisandro Martinez fined for blasting the club’s transfer policy, Carrick’s side are far from united. What Carrick called a “pure football” decision to drop Fernandes backfired as United imploded and tumbled to 16th, with the forlorn Portuguese watching from the bench – a defeat that piled more pressure on Carrick, even as fans cheered the manager while booing the squad. Fernandes was benched after criticising United’s tactics following the 4-1 Champions League thrashing by Como, leaving Carrick facing a dilemma ahead of the Chelsea clash.
Should he continue to sideline his captain or recall his most creative player after United badly missed his influence against Bournemouth? The loss left United with seven points from eight matches. Despite winning England’s Player of the Year honours last season, Fernandes has struggled for form in this campaign, yet United appeared even more toothless without their playmaker orchestrating play from midfield on Sunday.
That’s it,” Carrick told a news conference on Thursday. We move forward, make decisions as we go and focus on Saturday’s game.” He said Fernandes remains captain after clear-the-air talks. We’re hurting because we haven’t won enough football games.
But there is an intensity, an edge, a hunger to do better,” Carrick added. Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has insisted teenage rising star Estevao will feature for the club this season after the Brazil midfielder spent Wednesday’s League Cup loss to Liverpool at Anfield on the bench. Blues fans spent much of the 1-1 draw, which led to a 6-5 loss on penalties, chanting the 19-year-old Estevao’s name as he warmed up in front of them.
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