MICHAEL CARRICK has not been told he is certain to be in charge of Manchester United after their Premier League fixture with Aston Villa on Sunday.

United could be in the relegation zone at kick-off after one win and four defeats from their nine league matches.

Carrick’s position remains in serious doubt after United resisted sacking him in the wake of the 3-0 drubbing by Bournemouth two weeks ago.

United do not play for two weeks after the Villa match due to the November internationals, which is traditionally a time where clubs change managers.

Carrick revealed that he has received no assurances he will remain the United head coach beyond this week but plans are in place for the period.

He said: “No, no. Just carry on as absolute normal.

“Maybe three or four senior players will be in and around [the training ground], but we’ll certainly train next week and maybe have the weekend off.

“We’ll see how that develops, who’s left behind, who’s with us and what they need. But there’ll certainly be training next week.

“Whatever happens, what’s going to happen is going to happen in terms of the game (against Villa), and we’ve got to prepare right, looking forward to it.

“I said the other night I was really looking forward to the game going into it, I genuinely was. I wasn’t making anything up there for you.

“Playing at home on the back of the other night, the supporters hopefully looking forward to coming and energised and feeling good about what they might see.

“And we’ve got to repay that.”

Carrick is not planning to get away from the United maelstrom during the pause in the schedule. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to his native Norway five years ago after a stay of execution but was sacked after a 4-1 thumping by Watford in United’s first game back following the autumn internationals.

Carrick and his family have lived in Cheshire for 20 years and both of his children have grown up in the area.

His wife, Lisa, has taught pilates in Alderley Edge, their son, Jacey, is in the United academy while daughter Louise has been in attendance for home games this season.

At the end of last season, Carrick joked a summer holiday was not in the offing due to his children’s school exams. He is not expecting a drastically different break this month.

“Not really different to normal,” he added. “Generally not.

“I think international breaks are always a time when talking about the players that aren’t going away and for the staff, I think there is a little bit to re-energise and freshen up.

“I think some of the players that go away in internationals, they get freshened up in a different environment, so there is an element of that, but I don’t really need it. I’m fine as I am.”