Manchester United

If Michael Carrick is to turn things around at Old Trafford, these are the fixtures within which he'll have to do it.

The international break comes between the home game against Aston Villa and the always eagerly-anticipated trip to Anfield. Will Carrick still be in the dugout for that one?

• 31 October, 12:30: v Chelsea (a)
• 3 November, 20:00: v Roma (h), Champions League
• 8 November, 16:30: v Aston Villa (h)
• 22 November, 16:30: v Liverpool (a)
• 25 November, 20:00: v Sporting (a), Champions League
• 28 November, 15:00: v Brentford (h)

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher have been speaking about Michael Carrick's future on the Stick to Football podcast, and believe that Carrick leaving the club would be best for his own sake.

Neville said: "Sometimes a manager needs sacking for their own good. I needed sacking at Valencia. I was happy that they put me out of my misery."

Carragher said: "I think he can never say publicly, but I think Michael Carrick would want to be put out of his misery. I really do.

"The thought of going into that training ground now...and trying to do that team talk before Chelsea, when you know the players just aren’t having it at all.

"Those players know Michael Carrick’s not going to be there in two or three weeks. He knows it, they know it, everybody knows it."

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Another thread in all this is the ongoing Bruno Fernandes situation.

Michael Carrick and Fernandes have held clear-the-air talks before the team's trip to Chelsea.

Captain Fernandes, 32, was an unused substitute during United's 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Portuguese was dropped to the bench after he criticised Carrick's tactics following the 4-1 loss against Como in the Champions League.

Sources have told BBC Sport that the pair spoke privately at the club's training ground on Tuesday, with the talks aimed at airing issues.

It is unclear whether Fernandes, who was made club captain in 2023, apologised for his critical comments.

Will we see Fernandes return to the starting line-up at Chelsea?

This is the problem they've had for some time, Graham. But then plenty of of others would say the same.

All clubs would like some stability but getting it - and then keeping it - is easier said than done.

Admittedly, United have managed to make themselves more unstable than most in recent times.

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

This is the latest then...

Michael Carrick will remain in charge of Manchester United for their trip to Chelsea this weekend.

Sources have told BBC Sport that the 45-year-old will be given the opportunity to turn things around at Old Trafford following a dismal start to the campaign.

Carrick oversaw training on Tuesday morning, as United look to end a run of eight matches without a win in all competitions when they visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford plunged Carrick's future into doubt, with United sitting one place above the relegation zone.

It is understood United's hierarchy have explored the possibility of replacing Carrick, with ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and former Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann under consideration.

But sources have told BBC Sport that the former Middlesbrough manager will not only take charge against Chelsea but will also be given a chance to revive the club's fortunes on the pitch.

Manchester United

Right then, back to Manchester United, Michael Carrick and this very strange situation we find ourselves in where everyone assumed he'd be sacked, most still expect he will be before too long and yet, for now, he's expected to carry on as if that isn't the case...

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on his team news: "Chema Andres, Ferdi Kadioglu and Charalampos Kostoulas we rested yesterday and we are quite convinced they will be an options for Saturday, so this is new information we can give.

"Regarding Pascal Struijk, he won't be an option for the weekend. We are convinced he will be back afterwards.

"Regarding the other players who have been out for a long time, Zadok Yohanna is back on the training pitch, also Stefanos Tzimas after his ACL so plenty of positives."

For more from Fabian Hurzeler's news conference, click here.

Premier League

Another big weekend in the Premier League is fast approaching, here is what we have to look forward to...

Saturday

• Chelsea v Manchester United (12:30)
• Bournemouth v Leeds
• Brentford v Nottingham Forest
• Coventry v Sunderland
• Hull v Ipswich
• Manchester City v Brighton
• Tottenham v Crystal Palace (17:30)
• Aston Villa v Fulham (20:00)

Sunday

• Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30)

Monday

• Newcastle v Everton (20:00)

All times GMT; all kick-offs 15:00 unless stated

Before we delve further into the Michael Carrick situation at Manchester United, a quick note to say nine Premier League bosses we'll be speaking today.

In fact, Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler has already, we'll bring you the top lines from all of them as we get them.

• 13:00: Hull - Sergej Jakirovic
• 13:00: Bournemouth - Marco Rose
• 13:30: Man Utd - Michael Carrick
• 13:30: Crystal Palace - Pierre Sage
• 13:30: Coventry - Frank Lampard
• 13:30: Leeds - Daniel Farke
• 13:30: Sunderland - Regis Le Bris
• 13:30: Nottingham Forest - Oliver Glasner

All times GMT

Premier League

Eight games in, this is how the Premier League is shaping up. You can see why Michael Carrick is under pressure...

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United

Manchester United are currently 16th in the Premier League after picking up seven points in eight matches.

Michael Carrick's side have won just one game so far in the league. They have lost three games and drawn four times.

In the Champions League league phase, Man Utd are 21st, after winning one game and losing twice.

Is Michael Carrick's position untenable or can he actually turn this around? If so, how?

And how about this news conference? What would you like the Man Utd boss to be asked? There's certainly plenty to get stuck into...

Send in your thoughts via the 'Get Involved' button.

Manchester United

Well, it's been quite the few days for Manchester United. So much so, it's tough to know where to start - we'll go back to Sunday, shall we?

• Captain Bruno Fernandes is dropped after publicly criticising tactics in Man Utd's 4-1 loss at Como
• United slump to 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth to drop to 16th in the Premier League
• Michael Carrick's name sung at end of the game but players loudly booed after manager goes down the tunnel
• Carrick widely expected to be sacked and United's hierarchy understood to have explored possibility of replacing him with Eddie Howe or Julian Nagelsmann
• On Tuesday, United make decision that Carrick will remain in charge for game at Chelsea on Saturday and be given chance to turn things around
• On Wednesday it emerges Carrick and Fernandes have held "clear-the-air" talks
• Carrick is now set to face the media again ahead of trip to Stamford Bridge

Manchester United

How did we get to this point?

That is a very good question given that the vast majority of us assumed this humiliating home loss to Bournemouth would spell the end for Michael Carrick at Manchester United...

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

It's the media conference most observers thought would not be happening in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth.

Despite the cheers for head coach Michael Carrick, few thought Manchester United would stick with him for Saturday's trip to Chelsea.

After all, they had also lost 4-1 at Como in the Champions League four days earlier and are now on a run of eight games without a win, their worst since 2015-16.

But here we are. United are giving Carrick and his coaching staff a chance to turn things around.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes is in contention to start at Stamford Bridge after clear-the-air talks with his boss. Striker Benjamin Sesko has been ruled out at least until January with a shin injury and Kobbie Mainoo is back training again.

Carrick prefers to speak to the media on a Thursday ahead of a Saturday away game, due to travel schedules.

So that is what he will be doing this afternoon.