Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has held clear-the-air talks with his squad and staff over Bruno Fernandes' captaincy future ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has conducted clear-the-air discussions with his squad in an attempt to ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction. Following two consecutive weeks of player criticism, Carrick is determined to galvanise his team with a collective ambition to secure victories, irrespective of any underlying tensions.

The former midfielder is preparing to lead United into their Premier League encounter with Chelsea at the weekend, amid intense speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford. Unless the club can halt their eight-match run without a win, the pressure is expected to intensify, despite supporters chanting Carrick's name before directing more hostile reactions towards his players in the wake of the Bournemouth defeat.

Carrick has engaged in discussions with his players and backroom staff, though not with club directors, according to The Athletic. A resolution is also expected regarding Bruno Fernandes' role after he was relegated to the bench against the Cherries following his public questioning of the team's approach.

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It is said that the matter between manager and captain will be tackled 'head-on' and that a line will be drawn after the weekend. Fernandes is expected to be in contention to start at Stamford Bridge.

Following the Champions League defeat to Como, Fernandes criticised Carrick's tactics in a TNT Sports interview. "It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence," he said.

When asked whether he was implying Carrick had got things wrong, Fernandes responded: "That's on the manager and staff to see, not me.

"Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them (Como), the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to.

"A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide."

Former United star Paul Scholes has taken a damning view of Fernandes' conduct, however. Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football, he said: "What Bruno Fernandes said last week, I think that's unforgivable.

"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."

United chiefs engaged in lengthy talks over Carrick's future in the wake of the defeat to Bournemouth. Monday is reported to have seen a conference call take place amongst senior figures within the club's hierarchy.

Co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Avram and Joel Glazer, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox all weighed in on the matter. It was not until Tuesday lunchtime that the decision to stick with Carrick was finally communicated.