Michael Carrick: this is why Manchester United have decided
Why it matters
Manchester United's decision to confirm Michael Carrick as manager for the match against Chelsea is significant at a time of crisis for the team. After the defeat against Bournemouth, fans expressed frustration, and Carrick will face pressure to improve the team's performance in the Premier League. His experience as a legendary player could prove crucial in motivating players and restoring confidence.
Context
Michael Carrick, former Manchester United midfielder, has taken on the role of manager at a difficult time for the club. His leadership will be put to the test as he tries to lead the team back towards higher positions in the Premier League, with players such as Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez having to give their all to support him.
Key points
- Michael Carrick: this is why Manchester United have decided.
- Manchester United have decided to confirm Michael Carrick as manager for the match against Chelsea.
- Michael Carrick: Why Man Utd are sticking with under-pressure manager - for now - BBC Sport.
When Michael Carrick disappeared in the tunnel after Manchester United's defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford last Sunday, fans' support for a legendary player turned to hostility and anger towards the current team. The atmosphere after the match was considered "emotional". Carrick was the last to leave the stadium and, as usual, patiently took selfies and autographs for the fans who remained, after what had been a bad day weather-wise and terrible on the pitch. Asked in a post-match press conference whether he expected to still be in charge for Saturday's trip to Chelsea, Carrick replied: "I'm not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. I'm carrying on as usual." Few believed this situation was sustainable. Even his coaching staff wondered if he would still be in charge. Yet, Manchester United have decided to give Carrick and his players the chance to turn the current situation around. No deadline has been given, but Carrick will be on the bench at Stamford Bridge as his team sit sixteenth in the table. They have a crucial Champions League match against Roma three days later, and then a Premier League match against an in-form Aston Villa before a two-week international break. No one within Manchester United is saying this, but it would be the most obvious time to decide whether a change of manager was necessary. On Monday morning, when the decision to terminate Carrick's contract was widely expected to be announced, a senior Manchester United figure said a calmer and more clear-headed approach was needed to navigate the turbulence engulfing Old Trafford. Carrick had been "floating" since the devastating 4-1 defeat to Como in the European Cup on 21 October, one of the worst European nights in the club's history. Andy Mitten, a respected Manchester United fan and editor of the fanzine United We Stand, who interviewed CEO Omar Berrada on behalf of the club last June, described that performance as "an affront to the Manchester United name". In addition to the catastrophic nature of the performance, captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned Carrick's tactics and his coaches' inability to understand what was going wrong. Fernandes' comments came a week after defender Lisandro Martinez said he expected more investment in the squad and, addressing technical director Jason Wilcox, said he expected "more". This painted a picture of a team out of control, posing an immediate dilemma for the Manchester United management. Feeling that it would appear reactive and impulsive to remove Carrick based on the negativity of just one match, Manchester United decided to retain the manager for the match against Bournemouth, but even that match was marred by a performance that, in the opinion of many, was even worse than the one in Italy. Fernandes wasn't even called up for the match against Bournemouth, having been placed on the bench. After the match, however, the Portuguese player liked a post on Instagram which contained the caption: "Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care." Late on Sunday night, BBC Sport learned that no final decision had been made regarding Carrick's future and that his fate would be discussed on Monday. Even on Monday there were no updates. The Manchester United players taking part in the match against Bournemouth were given a day's rest, but it was a bizarre choice to see Fernandes and Carrick at the club's training centre, Carrington, respectively for pre-scheduled medical treatment and the latter to attend a Manchester United Under-21s match which took place behind closed doors. Also present at the training center were Berrada and Wilcox, discussing the immediate future of the club. It is difficult to believe that the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club's minority shareholder, and the Glazer family, owners of the club, were not part of those discussions. It soon became apparent that there would be no update regarding Carrick's future. However, his arrival in Carrington at 07.30 GMT on Tuesday morning was seen as a sign that he would lead the team's training, and indeed he did. Carrick led the training and, together with Fernandes and other players, took autographs and photos with a group of fans who had been invited to the training center that day. Four hours later, sources within Manchester United confirmed that Carrick would be on the bench for the match against Chelsea. The club's current situation is seen as not entirely attributable to Carrick. Senior figures at the club believe that Manchester United's players, who are still considered a team capable of qualifying for the Champions League, are performing below expectations and must also share some of the blame for the current situation. There seems to be a general consensus that Carrick should be helped. One player told BBC Sport: "The feeling is that we all want to put things right. Players, staff, everyone." It is not known whether the "we" also includes Fernandes, who does not appear to have had any conversations with Carrick after the latest events. It's obvious that it's easier to get rid of a manager and his staff than an entire squad of players, and if results don't improve, Carrick will pay the price. A former senior Manchester United official told BBC Sport: "Usually, Michael would have been sacked by now. The last two performances have been unacceptable and the discipline within the team has broken down. The fact that he hasn't been sacked is an interesting and risky thing." Cynics might argue that the main reason Carrick is still in place is the club's inability to find a replacement before the match against Chelsea. Furthermore, some of the coaches who were brought onto the staff to support Carrick during his time as interim manager, as was the case recently with more confidence, are all now part of the first team staff. BBC Sport highlighted last Monday how Manchester United had taken into consideration coaches of the caliber of Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann if they decided to make a change at the technical management. Any decision to appoint Howe as the new manager would result in a compensation payment worth several million pounds to his previous club Newcastle. Some observers believe the compensation payments may be a factor in Manchester United's reluctance to make a managerial change, given that huge sums have already been spent over the past two years on sacking and hiring new managers. Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is also reportedly willing to talk to Manchester United about a possible hire, although there has been no direct contact. Aston Villa's Emery is considered a highly valued figure by Manchester United, but the club are realistic about their chances of convincing the Spaniard to leave Villa Park. Wilcox's future is also under intense scrutiny. A source close to Manchester United believes it is inevitable that Wilcox will be sacked if a third managerial change is made this season. There would be sympathy for Wilcox, who had no say in last summer's transfer budget. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to have partly invested substantial sums in the club since the start of this year, and therefore highlights the fact that the club should be able to make more lucrative signings. However, no explanation was ever given as to why last summer it was decided to focus only on strengthening the midfield, neglecting key roles such as that of the centre-forward and the full-backs. The injuries to Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko made this issue even more evident. For now, however, the focus is on Saturday's match against Chelsea, with Carrick expected at a press conference on Thursday.
What happens now
Carrick will lead Manchester United in Saturday's away match against Chelsea, a crucial match in their bid to move up the Premier League table. After this match, the team will face Roma in the Champions League, followed by another Premier League match against Aston Villa. These next matches will be decisive for the future of Carrick and his team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened after Manchester United's defeat against Bournemouth?
After the defeat, the fans' support for Michael Carrick turned into hostility and anger towards the team.
Who confirmed that Michael Carrick will remain in office?
Manchester United have decided to confirm Michael Carrick as manager.
Why has Manchester United decided to confirm Carrick now?
Despite the team's difficult situation, Manchester United has decided to give Carrick and his players the chance to turn the current situation around.
What changes have there been in Carrick's situation?
Carrick will remain on the bench for the next match against Chelsea, despite the uncertainty over his position.
What is Manchester United's current position in the league table?
Manchester United currently occupies sixteenth place in the table.
