- Michael Carrick said that he was “not surprised” to remain in charge of Manchester United after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth
- Bruno Fernandes had been dropped to the bench for the Bournemouth match after questioning the tactics used in a 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como, but he will continue as captain
- Manchester United will travel to Chelsea on Saturday after eight matches without a win – their poorest run since 2015-16
Carrick Remains in Charge After Bournemouth Fallout
Michael Carrick used Thursday’s press conference to address his Manchester United future after a difficult period in which the club considered his position following last weekend’s defeat to Bournemouth.
United lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, a result that left Carrick’s future hanging by a thread. He appeared visibly moved at the final whistle, with the setback pushing him closer to dismissal. The match also extended United’s winless sequence to eight games.
🚨 Michael Carrick when asked if he’s surprised to still be the United coach: “No”.
“I’m here to do my job. I’m here to do the best for the team, and I’m desperate to make us better and improve things”. https://t.co/iuIndR8gCV
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2026
Nearly 40 hours passed between the Bournemouth defeat and United providing clarity over Carrick’s immediate future. During that period, discussions involving the Glazer family, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox took place before the club confirmed that Carrick would remain in post.
Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox arrived at Carrington on Monday morning to assess the situation around Carrick. The 45-year-old was also at the training ground that afternoon, where he watched the Under-21s play Hull in a closed-door friendly.
United sources confirmed on Tuesday that Carrick would stay in charge and lead the team for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea. The club’s decision gives him the chance to try to turn around United’s form.
Carrick Says He Does Not Need Guarantees
Asked about the aftermath of the Bournemouth defeat, Carrick said: “To be honest, disappointment from the game, from the result. It’s clear from the way the game went.
“Dealing with that was the main thing, looking at what we could have done better. Then getting back to training with the players and preparing for the next game against Chelsea.”
When questioned on whether the board had given him reassurances, he replied: “I don’t need any assurances from anyone. I get the position and understand the responsibility and what comes with that. I don’t need any assurances from anyone.”
“I totally get the position. I understand the job. I understand the responsibilities. I understand what comes with that. So, I really don’t need any assurances from anyone in that regard.”
He also said: “No. I’m here to do my job. I’m here to do the best for the team, and I’m desperate to make us better and improve things. So, I’m not surprised, no.”
On the outside noise around his position, Carrick added: “I don’t see it really, I see the things I need to see. I don’t look for it because it doesn’t help. I care about what the supporters think, what we give them and offer them, and what they see. I know what we need to do to be better – I don’t need anyone else to tell me.”
Fernandes Stays Captain After Talks at Carrington
Bruno Fernandes will continue as club captain despite recent tension around selection and tactics. Carrick left Fernandes on the bench for Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth after the Portuguese midfielder questioned the tactics used in a 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como. It remains to be seen whether Fernandes will return to the starting line-up against Chelsea.
The pair held clear-the-air talks at Carrington on Tuesday as United looked to move forward. Carrick said there was “no decision to be made” over whether Fernandes would remain captain.
“We are clear with the situation of the team, and as a football club,” said Carrick.
“He is an important player for this group. He has been and he will be.
“We’ve got to make a difference and we’ve got to push things in a good direction.
“He’s fully committed to this football club. He’s fully committed to making things better. There are absolutely no issues with that.
“It doesn’t change for me. It was a decision for what we felt for the [Bournemouth] game. That’s it.
“He’s the one that’s led the team so well for many a game and many a year, and he’ll continue to do that. There are absolutely no issues with that.”
Carrick also said: “It was a decision, as I said, for what we felt for the game. That’s it. Bruno is fully committed to this football club, and there are absolutely no issues with that.
“We move forward, we make decisions as we go, and we’re looking forward to the game on Saturday now.”
United’s Form and Upcoming Fixtures
United head to Chelsea after eight matches without a win, which is their worst run of results since 2015-16. They have not had a sequence of nine matches without a victory since the 1988-89 campaign.
It seems likely Carrick will remain in post for next Tuesday’s Champions League match against Roma and the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 8 November. A two-week international break follows after that Aston Villa match.
