Manchester United have decided to stick with manager Michael Carrick because senior officials are yet to agree on a replacement, according to The i Paper.

Carrick will remain in charge for the trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday after being given an opportunity to arrest the club’s slide.

The 45-year-old is under huge pressure after overseeing a dreadful run of form which has conjured just two wins from 12 games this season.

Carrick looked destined to be sacked as United executives - including co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and CEO Omar Berrarda - discussed his future this week.

However, The i Paper understands Carrick has been given a stay of execution because the United board are yet to unanimously agree on a successor.

Technical director Jason Wilcox, under-fire from supporters following an underwhelming summer transfer window, is believed to favour Eddie Howe as a replacement.

But Christopher Vivell, the head of recruitment at Old Trafford, is understood to be vouching for Julian Nagelsmann, whom he previously worked with at RB Leipzig.

Howe, regarded as the best English coach in men’s football, is available after leaving Newcastle United on the eve of the 2026-27 season.

The 48-year-old, who led Newcastle to their first domestic trophy for 70 years via the Carabao Cup in March 2025, is said to be open to replacing Carrick.

Howe earned his coaching stripes at Bournemouth, leading them from League Two to the Premier League across two incredible spells in charge.

Former Bayern Munich head coach Nagelsmann is also out of work after leaving the Germany national team following the 2026 World Cup.

The 39-year-old began his career with Hoffenheim and led them to two top-four finishes in the Bundesliga, which caught the attention of Leipzig in June 2018.

Nagelsmann led Leipzig to the 2021 German Cup final before joining Bayern, with whom he won the Bundesliga in 2021-22 before being dismissed in March 2023.

Carrick receiving love from United fans

Meanwhile, Carrick was named permanent United manager in May after an impressive spell as interim boss last season, steering the club to a third-placed finish in the Premier League.

However, while Carrick continues to receive support from fans, owing to his glorious spell as a United player, his position is under close scrutiny from those above him.

United captain Bruno Fernandes also criticised Carrick’s tactics following the 4-1 loss at Como in the Champions League last Wednesday.

The Portugal midfielder was subsequently dropped by his beleaguered manager for the 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford last Sunday.