Manchester United head to Chelsea on Saturday as Michael Carrick fights to keep his job after eight games without a win

All eyes will be on Michael Carrick as he tries to save his job in Manchester United's trip to Chelsea. It's the Saturday lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League.

Both sides have had their struggles of late, but Xabi Alonso's Blues are favourites against a United side winless in their last eight across all competitions. Despite that poor run of form, Carrick has so far been spared the sack.

After the 4-1 loss away to Como in the Champions League was followed by a 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth last Sunday, it looked all but guaranteed another manager would bite the dust at Old Trafford.

The United hierarchy have backed the former midfielder to turn things around. But there's growing tension behind the scenes as they consider how they can get back on the right track, as we look at the latest surrounding the Red Devils.

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Shock striker target

Carrick's difficulties have been compounded by the continued absence of Benjamin Sesko, who is now unlikely to make his first appearance of the season until the new year. His shin injury has proved considerably more serious than initially anticipated, leaving Bryan Mbeumo to fill in out of position as a No. 9, with Joshua Zirkzee out of favour.

United could look to strengthen when the transfer market reopens in January, though their choices will inevitably be restricted, as is typically the case during the mid-season window. According to The Athletic, Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin is amongst the names under consideration.

A deal of this nature appears highly improbable, however, not only due to the rivalry between the two clubs, but also because the England striker has rediscovered his finest form as Daniel Farke's key man and would likely face a reduced role at Old Trafford.

Glazers angry with Ratcliffe

The Glazer family are reportedly frustrated with how minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been overseeing the club since taking charge of football operations in 2020. The Glazers retain their majority shareholding but granted Ratcliffe and his Ineos team complete autonomy following his £1.25billion investment.

The British businessman quickly implemented extensive cost-cutting measures, which attracted widespread criticism, and hasn't delivered the on-pitch improvement supporters had anticipated. According to the Mail, the Glazers are dissatisfied with how the club is being run.

"It's a travesty and not what they expected or were promised," a source with social ties to the family said. "They have never run the club this way."

A further source told ESPN that Ratcliffe's scaling back of numerous departments is entirely at odds with his previously stated strategy, with the Glazers reportedly believing Ratcliffe "couldn't have masterminded a worse situation."