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Manchester United could revisit the possibility of sacking Michael Carrick after just three more games, according to reports. The under-fire Red Devils manager was widely expected to be relieved of his duties following Sunday's defeat at the hands of Bournemouth. However, he has instead been granted an unexpected stay of execution that will see him remain in charge for the time being.
United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox held a crisis meeting on Monday to discuss Carrick's immediate future.
It later emerged that they had decided to give him another chance to turn things around, primarily because they weren't convinced by any of the options available to replace him.
There were also concerns about the cost of sacking Carrick just five months into his two-year contract, as well as paying for the inevitable exits of his backroom staff.
It means Carrick will remain in charge of United heading into Saturday's game against Chelsea. Another defeat at Stamford Bridge would see the Red Devils extend their winless run to nine games in all competitions.
According to The Athletic, the 45-year-old could be sacked during the November international break if United's form doesn't improve by then. That would see him take charge of matches against Roma and Aston Villa, in addition to the Chelsea fixture.
There is said to be an internal belief that making a change during the break would make it easier for a new manager to settle in, as opposed to starting in the middle of a crucial four-game run.
Of course, there is a chance that Carrick could survive even longer if United return to winning ways against Chelsea and maintain that form over the next few matches.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be in attendance at Stamford Bridge, with the INEOS chief set to fly into the UK ahead of Saturday's game. Since buying into United two years ago, he is yet to see the Red Devils win away at Chelsea.
Gary Neville, meanwhile, was surprised by United's decision not to make a change in the dugout, telling Sky Sports: "I am surprised, but I am happy because I was absolutely certain that what I witnessed on Sunday would be the end of Michael.
"It looked like he was walking round at the end on his own with the players behind him, like it was almost a goodbye lap; he is waving to the fans to say, in almost an apologetic manner, but also a goodbye, so I am really surprised that ultimately Michael is still in a job.
"I am happy with it because the fact of the matter is it was very difficult on Sunday. How it is going to go over the next couple of weeks, I have no idea.
"But I hope he can somehow get those players to start playing for him again because they haven’t played for him in the last few weeks."
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