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The heat is intensifying at Manchester United, with Michael Carrick facing a crucial period as his team prepares for this weekend's trip to Chelsea. The manager's situation has grown progressively vulnerable after two embarrassing losses, with United shipping seven goals in consecutive defeats against Como and Bournemouth. A woeful eight-match run without victory has piled the pressure on Carrick, with his tenure at Old Trafford now in serious doubt, but the difficulties stretch beyond matters on the field.
Bruno Fernandes was omitted from the starting XI for Sunday's defeat to Bournemouth, having openly questioned Carrick's tactics following United's mauling by Como just days earlier.
The choice underscored the mounting tension between the duo at a moment when the club cannot afford additional complications.
United now sit just one point above the Premier League drop zone, placing Carrick under immense pressure to produce a reaction at Stamford Bridge.
With his position in jeopardy and concerns mounting over his management of Fernandes, here is the latest from Old Trafford...
Fernandes transfer demand made
Paul Scholes reckons Bruno Fernandes is finished at United and has urged him to abandon European football in favour of a move to the Saudi Pro League.
He pulled no punches when addressing Fernandes' row with Carrick, branding the midfielder's public remarks as "unforgivable" and casting doubt on whether anyone at the club could put their faith in him again.
"What Bruno Fernandes said last week, I think that's unforgivable," Scholes said. "How can Bruno Fernandes be trusted to be captain of any team he ever goes to now?
"I think he probably needs to get away from European football and just go to Saudi, just get out the way. I don't think any manager, any member of staff can trust him after that."
Carrick makes bold decision
Michael Carrick is understood to be prepared to restore Bruno Fernandes to the starting line-up this weekend following his decision to drop his captain to the substitutes' bench for the Bournemouth loss.
Fernandes had previously played every minute of United's Premier League campaign, rendering his omission from Sunday's starting XI especially notable given the side's worrying form.
The Athletic say that Carrick, Fernandes and senior officials at the club have agreed to move past their disagreements. The breakthrough could pave the way for the midfielder to reclaim his place in the team against Chelsea.
The apparent reconciliation follows Carrick's narrow escape from the sack earlier this week.
On Monday, co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer convened a high-level conference call with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox to deliberate over the manager's future.
Carrick was handed a lifeline on Tuesday, yet his position remains anything but assured. With United desperately seeking a revival, anything short of an impressive performance against Chelsea could bring his tenure to an abrupt end.
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