Fabrizio Romano has delivered updates on the biggest stories in football, including the latest on Michael Carrick and Harry Kane.

Man Utd sticking with Carrick

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed reports that Man Utd will persist with under-fire head coach Michael Carrick at least for another game.

"Man Utd decide not to take any official action with Michael Carrick," Romano explained. "Man Utd decide to confirm the coach after very, very long days because Monday was a very long day at Man Utd, including also Sunday night.

"There were discussions Sunday night already after the terrible game against Bournemouth and then Monday spending basically the whole day in conversation with all the people at the club involved. Owner, CEO, director Jason Wilcox, all the people at the club, Carrick himself.

"There were conversations with the players as well. Monday, there was no training at Man Utd, but some players went to Carrington for treatment like, for example, the captain Bruno Fernandes, and so there were conversations also with the players.

"The conversations were very extended, very long from what I understand, and the decision of the club is to back Carrick, to give Carrick at least one more chance. Saturday, Stamford Bridge, Chelsea-Man Utd. That's going to be obviously once again an important game.

"Man Utd didn't win a single game in the last eight they played in all competitions. So, a terrible moment for Man Utd. You know very well that the last two performances - it's not just about the result - the performances, Como and Bournemouth, were horrible and terrible.

"But Man Utd decided to confirm Carrick. What's behind this decision? The intention from the club is to put responsibility on the players. There are people in the Man Utd hierarchy who believe that when things don't go well, it's 'Okay, the manager is out and the players don't take responsibility.'

"Now, Man Utd are giving some time to Carrick. Obviously, this can't be forever. I'm not saying that Carrick is 100% going to finish the season as Man Utd coach because obviously the results are important for any coach.

"But United want to show to this group of players that they also have to take a big part of the responsibility. It can't be only the manager. Then, my point of view on this, I think it's not just the manager, but also not just the players - it's also who built this squad in the summer.

"Lisandro Martinez said that after the Atletico Madrid game, but there are many players, not just one or two other players, who believe that Man Utd needed more signings in the summer. Man Utd needed different kind of players to add to the squad in order to be competitive in several competitions."

Romano then added that succession-planning is in full swing, saying: "Man Utd had conversations with agents of managers. The three names we should take into consideration as free managers are in this order: Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte.

"Three managers, very different one from the other, and also in terms of approach, United are yet to say 'Okay, let's go for this coach.' So at the moment, it is still open but these are three names.

"Obviously, to talk with representatives, intermediaries or anyone close to these coaches is absolutely something normal in this situation. There could be other managers who can be very attractive but very difficult to get. For example, there is no doubt that Man Utd like Unai Emery.

"Unai is a coach super appreciated by Man Utd, but he is completely focused on Aston Villa. Unai was at the Ballon d'Or. Fantastic to see him there. He deserves to be on the biggest stage, together with Roberto Olabe, together with Damian Vidagany.

"They are very happy at Aston Villa with him. He's loving life at Aston Villa. He's deciding everything at Aston Villa, and so the full focus is on Villa. So that's the situation as of now."

Barcelona, Real Madrid approached Kane

Speaking of the Ballon d'Or, Romano also revealed that Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane was approached by both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the summer.

"Congratulations to the Ballon d'Or winner, Harry Kane. Fantastic story, an English winner after 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001... Kane, in the next days, will be in contact again with Bayern to finalise the formal steps of his new contract at the club.

"Kane stays, Kane signs a new contract until 2029. The verbal agreement is done. They have started in terms of reading, sending, exchanging all the paperwork between Bayern and the lawyers of Kane. The relationship is fantastic, excellent.

"In the recent days, Erik ten Hag, in some interviews, said 'I wanted Kane, I was considering Kane as a top target [in 2023], but for Man Utd it was not possible to proceed because Kane had decided to go to Bayern.'

"More on this, something that could sound surprising, but last summer - I can guarantee this to you - there were also some talks from top Spanish clubs.

"Both Barcelona and Real Madrid were calling to understand the situation of Kane, let's say before and during the first part of the World Cup. But the answer was always, 'Thanks, but the focus is on Bayern.'"