Michael Carrick will remain as Manchester United boss - for now - but the Red Devils’ upcoming fixtures certainly do not get any easier.

The next five games sees Manchester United face three teams chasing a top-four finish and two fixtures in the Champions League.

Following a 3-0 home drubbing dished out by Bournemouth last Sunday, all the noise surrounding Old Trafford suggested that Carrick would lose his job as head coach of Manchester United.

However, following meetings on Monday, it was decided that Carrick would be given more time in the hot seat, with the former Middlesbrough manager taking charge of Man Utd’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

While the Blues are still reeling from a shock home defeat of their own, losing 2-0 to London rivals Tottenham, they have looked very dangerous going forward - scoring 25 times in 10 matches.

Michael Carrick

AFP/Getty

Once Carrick & Co. have dealt with the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, attention turns to the Champions League, with Man Utd welcoming Roma to Old Trafford.

Third-placed Roma are unbeaten in Serie A, sitting one place and one point above Como - the Italian outfit that put four past Manchester United in their last Champions League fixture.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side pushed European giants Real Madrid all the way in their second Champions League outing, eventually losing 4-3, before romping past Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in their most recent continental game.

Once European commitments have been dealt with, Man United have another home game - taking on a resurgent Aston Villa at Old Trafford. At the time of writing, Villa are unbeaten in seven games, their most recent victory inflicting a first loss of the Premier League season upon Manchester City.

After the Villa game Manchester United will be able to take stock during the international break, where it feels likely that Carrick’s future will be reviewed again if the Red Devils fail to pick up a decent haul of points.

Man United will not be eased back into Premier League action, with a trip to arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday, November 22. The Red Devils completed the league double over their rivals last season, with Manchester United unbeaten at Anfield since receiving a 7-0 tonking in 2023, a run of three games.

If Carrick remains in situ towards the end of November, he will lead Manchester United into another Champions League fixture. Sporting host the Red Devils on Wednesday, November 25, with the Portuguese club winning two of their first three in the league stage.

A shock 3-2 defeat at home to Austrian outfit LASK has poured cold water on impressive wins over RC Lens and Galatasaray.

Chelsea (A) - Saturday, October 31 - Premier League

Roma (H) - Tuesday, November 3 - Champions League

Aston Villa (H) - Sunday, November 8 - Premier League

Liverpool (A) - Sunday, November 22 - Premier League