# Carrick stays in charge at Manchester United for Chelsea trip, and says Fernandes remains captain *United have gone eight games without a win and sit one point above the relegation zone. The club has kept Michael Carrick for Saturday's game at Chelsea, and he says the captaincy question is closed.* Desk: News · Published 14:50 CET, 30 Oct 2026 · Match Time (https://matchtime.news/news/carrick-stays-in-charge-at-manchester-united-fernandes-keeps-captaincy/) By News desk · Reviewed by Mikael Thuritz Michael Carrick will be in the Manchester United dugout at Chelsea on Saturday 31 October (13:30 CET). The club decided this week to keep its head coach after a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth left United one point above the Premier League's relegation zone, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday 28 October. ## What was decided, and who decided it According to Sky Sports, director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada discussed Carrick's future at the club's Carrington training ground on Monday 26 October. The outcome was that Carrick would keep his job for at least the Chelsea game. He took training on Tuesday as normal. Sky Sports also reported that the club had been considering other coaches, naming Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann. Carrick spoke to reporters on Thursday 29 October. Asked whether he needed a promise from the club about his position, he said: "I don't need assurances from anyone." Asked whether he was surprised to still be in the job, he answered: "No. I'm here to do my job." ## The captain The week's second story was Bruno Fernandes. The United captain publicly criticised the coaching staff's tactics after a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, Sky Sports reported. Carrick then left him on the bench for the entire Bournemouth game on Sunday 25 October, and Harry Maguire captained the side instead. Sky Sports News reported that the two men held clear-the-air talks on Tuesday. On Thursday Carrick said the benching was "a decision for the game. That's it," and that the captaincy was not in question: "There's no decision to be made on that." He added: "Bruno is fully committed to this football club. I've got no issues with that, we move forward." ## How bad is the run? United have not won in eight games in all competitions, according to Sky Sports, which described the Bournemouth defeat as extending the club's worst start to a Premier League season. In the league table they have 7 points from eight games: one win, four draws and three defeats. That leaves them 16th of 20 clubs. The relegation zone is the bottom three places, whose clubs drop to the second division at the end of the season; Nottingham Forest, in 18th, have 6 points. Against Bournemouth the goals came from Rayan in the 38th minute, Marcus Tavernier in the 43rd and Evanilson in the 71st. Sky Sports reported that supporters booed the players off at full-time while Carrick himself was applauded, and that former United defender Gary Neville said on air: "The club is a mess." Carrick's own record makes the situation harder to read. Sky Sports noted that he took over in January 2026 after Ruben Amorim was sacked, won 12 of his 17 games, finished third and took the club back into the Champions League, and was made permanent head coach on 22 May. ## What happens next The Chelsea game is the first of three in nine days. United host Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday 3 November at 21:00 CET, then Aston Villa in the league on Sunday 8 November at 17:30 CET, after which the league pauses for the international break. Chelsea are fifth with 13 points, six more than United, and lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham last Saturday. Carrick summed up his own view on Thursday in one line: "I don't look for it. It doesn't help." He was talking about criticism. On Saturday, the result will do the talking instead. ## Sources 1. Man Utd boss Michael Carrick to remain in charge vs Chelsea and given chance to turn situation around (Sky Sports) https://www.skysports.com/football/news/13604347/man-utd-boss-michael-carrick-to-remain-in-charge-vs-chelsea-and-given-chance-to-turn-situation-around - read 14:12 CET, 30 Oct 2026 2. Manchester United: Michael Carrick ready to 'move forward' with Bruno Fernandes as captain and doesn't require assurances on his own future (Sky Sports) https://www.skysports.com/football/news/13605331/manchester-united-michael-carrick-ready-to-move-forward-with-bruno-fernandes-as-captain-and-doesnt-require-assurances-on-his-future - read 14:10 CET, 30 Oct 2026 3. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth: Michael Carrick drops Bruno Fernandes but sees Cherries humble United at Old Trafford (Sky Sports) https://www.skysports.com/football/manchester-united-vs-bournemouth/5782183476081516232 - read 14:20 CET, 30 Oct 2026 4. All 380 fixtures for the 2026/27 Premier League season (Premier League) https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4675097/all-380-fixtures-for-202627-premier-league-season - read 14:05 CET, 30 Oct 2026 --- 18+. Gambling involves risk and can be addictive. Please gamble responsibly. Odds links go to BettingBeast, a platform operated by the owners of this site. 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