Manchester United are sticking by Michael Carrick ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.

The Red Devils are on a run of eight games without a win following a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday at Old Trafford, while they have won just two of their 12 games in all competitions so far this season.

Recent defeats to Bournemouth and Como had seen Carrick strongly tipped to be sacked from his role, with the coach seemingly waving goodbye to the Stretford End following the defeat to the Cherries in an emotional farewell.

The United board held crisis talks on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the future of the manager, but it has now been decided that Carrick will be given the chane to turn the team's fortunes around.

Carrick took training as usual on Tuesday at Carrington, with the team preparing for a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday afternoon. The former midfielder and players will be given the opportunity to turn things around, with INEOS opting against making an immediate change.

Sources understand that everyone is focused on preparing the team for that game and showing a response on the pitch.

GIVEMESPORT sources reported that the club had begun succession planning in case of a change being made, with Fabian Hurzeler, Eddie Howe, and Julian Nagelsmann all considered to be potential options.

However, Hurzeler is not interested in taking over mid-season, while United would need to pay around £3m in compensation to appoint Howe, and there are question marks over Nagelsmann's suitability.

Carrick on Thin Ice at Man Utd

It's clear that Carrick is on thin ice at Man Utd, but the fans showing their support for the 45-year-old may well have influenced the board's decision to keep him around and give him a chance to change things.

Carrick has tried new things, even dropping Bruno Fernandes for the most recent game, but now he knows that he must turn things around quickly.

United will face off against Chelsea on Saturday before hosting Roma in the Champions League, before a clash with Aston Villa ahead of the next international break. Their first game after that break will be a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool.

Bad results in those games will surely see this situation revisited, but for now, Carrick has the opportunity to rediscover the form and performances of last season.