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Manchester United's turbulent campaign has taken an unexpected turn after Michael Carrick was kept on as manager against the odds. Carrick was widely expected to get the axe following Sunday's convincing home defeat to Bournemouth. With evident discord within the squad, after both Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes gave negative interviews, Carrick appeared destined to become the latest managerial victim at Old Trafford.
However, following critical discussions involving chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owners the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Carrick will stay for the time being.
Focus will now turn to Saturday's fixture at Chelsea. As the uncertainty continues to rumble on during a problematic season, Express Sport rounds up the latest United developments...
Board red-faced as decision backfires
According to new reports, Man United's hierarchy are inclined to retain Carrick partly because of the endorsement he received from supporters on Sunday.
While fans at Old Trafford directed fury towards the club's executives and ownership, Carrick enjoyed a favourable reception throughout and was applauded enthusiastically as he left the pitch ahead of the players.
Once Carrick was down the tunnel, the players behind him were booed heavily on their way off. Although it wasn't the sole consideration in the verdict, the backing he retains from supporters was noted by senior figures, according to ESPN.
But the Red Devils' board have been left red-faced by the leaked news about why Carrick has kept his job - because it has emerged that they are split on possible replacements.
It has apparently dawned on the club that its difficulties extend considerably beyond whoever occupies the dugout.
Reservations surrounding several leading contenders for the role - Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann - have also contributed to the decision to retain Carrick, according to The Sun.
The leak does not paint a good picture of United's decision-makers, who dnot seem fully convinced in the current head coach yet are also failing to agree on who could replace him.
Rooney lets rip
Wayne Rooney has savaged United's players, insisting they have no grounds for complaint whatsoever. In a scathing outburst, the club's all-time record scorer revealed he would relish the opportunity to enter the dressing room and place a firework "up their a****."
Appearing on the Stick to United podcast, he fumed: "What's not fair is the performances they're giving. I looked at the fans, you could see the pain and anger in their faces when them players are walking around the football pitch.
"You see Martinez when Rayan ran round him, they're not getting to the ball, it's so frustrating. I could score a goal, had ability or whatever, I f****** ran and put myself about as a team. These players are not doing that.
"I'd love to go in that dressing room, walk in that dressing room and say, 'What the f*** are use all doing?
"'What type of performances do you think this is? Do you think you deserve to wear the shirt?' Put a f****** firework up their a**** because they're not doing anything.
"We're seeing players who are numb, look like they've got no emotion, look like they don't care. Some of them might care, some good lads who are getting dragged down. It's so frustrating to watch."
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