Manchester United have decided to stick with Michael Carrick for the time being following talks over his future but it appears that the former midfielder might not be totally out of the woods just yet

Michael Carrick is just about clinging onto his job at Manchester United having been given an unlikely stay of execution. The former midfielder was under huge pressure at the start of the week following a miserable 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

That reverse left the Red Devils staring at their worst-ever Premier League start, with Old Trafford mutinous - albeit much of the anger was targeted away from Carrick instead of at the United boss himself.

Regardless, many expected Carrick to be moved on ahead of this weekend’s clash with Chelsea. It has since been confirmed that he will be given time to arrest the club’s slump, starting with this weekend’s game.

But how exactly did United and Carrick reach crisis point - and what has gone into the decision to retain his services?

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Crisis talks on Carrick’s future

Following a dismal week in which United were torn apart by both Como and Bournemouth, Carrick’s position looked to be in serious jeopardy. Both Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher had suggested that his time at Old Trafford would be coming to an end after the rotten reverse at the hands of the Cherries.

And things looked even more ominous on Monday, with both Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox having arrived at the club’s Carrington Training Ground for talks on the ongoing crisis. The pair remain under the microscope for their respective parts in United’s failings over recent seasons - but it was Carrick most closely under the microscope.

The beleaguered manager was also on site, but he did not have a role to play in discussions, instead choosing to watch the club’s under-21 side take on Hull City in a behind-closed-doors affair. He arrived at 1.50pm and left a matter of hours later at 5pm.

Carrick given time

While Carrick was only present throughout the afternoon, both Wilcox and Berrada were at Carrington far earlier. Both were at the training ground from 9am on Monday, with Carrick’s future firmly on the agenda.

In the end, it was decided that he would be given more time to stop the rot - starting with this weekend’s clash against Chelsea.

That offered some more clarity to both Carrick and the club’s under-performing stars, with the former taking training on Tuesday morning, having arrived at the training ground at his usual time of 7:30am.

And it appears that decision has received the backing of some within the dressing room, with one unnamed player quoted by BBC Sport: "The feeling is that we all want to put it right. Players, staff, everyone."

Disagreement on replacement

While Carrick is safe for the time being, the club still have a list of potential replacements that they could appoint should the decision be made to move him on in the immediate future. But according to The Sun, a failure to unanimously agree on a successor might have been another decisive element in keeping faith in Carrick.

Former Chelsea and Spurs boss Antonio Conte has been linked, albeit an approach has yet to be made. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler also has admirers but has reportedly been discounted due to the size of the compensation package that United would have to pay for his services.

Ex-Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is another name to have been mentioned - and would be open to an approach - albeit the departures of Dan Ashworth and Sir Dave Brailsford could cause an issue. A significant compensation package also puts a move for Howe in doubt.

United director of recruitment Christopher Vivell could potentially angle for Julian Nagelsmann, having worked with the former Germany boss during his time with the Red Bull Group but would likely see his recommendation trumped by Wilcox.

And what next for Carrick?

It all depends on how this weekend's game with Chelsea goes. Another chastening defeat would surely be the end. United have not confirmed exactly how much time he will get to reverse the side's fortunes but it is impossible to believe United will stick with the status quo if results continue.

Following the game with Chelsea, United take on Roma in the Champions League ahead of a clash with Aston Villa. International fixtures then bring domestic action to a hold for a fortnight, which might give United chiefs another chance to re-evaluate the situation and make a change if they feel necessary. And should they pull the trigger, conversations will not only turn back to Carrick's replacement, but also the people picking it.