Manchester United have decided to keep Michael Carrick in charge for the upcoming Champions League clash with Roma despite Jason Wilcox's preferred replacement emerging.

United have dropped to 17th in the Premier League after losing 2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Red Devils have now gone nine games without a win in their worst start to the season since 1988 - with their last victory coming against Sabah in the Champions League back in September.

Man United make decision on Michael Carrick's future

Following the 3-0 Bournemouth, there were strong rumours that Carrick would be given the boot.

But following talks between director of football Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada at Carrington, it was decided that Carrick remain in his position.

Despite the defeat to Chelsea leaving United above the relegation zone only on goal difference, Jamie Jackson of The Guardian has reported that Carrick is poised to be in the dugout at Old Trafford for Tuesday's visit of Roma.

Carrick is expected to remain in the position until the next international break following a game against Aston Villa on 8 November.

Eddie Howe is leading candidate for Man United job as cost revealed

The situation will be revisited after the next two games but the report notes that Wilcox already has Eddie Howe at the top of his shortlist should a change be made.

Howe, who stepped down from Newcastle prior to the start of the season, is said to be open to becoming United manager after contact was already made.

Julian Nagelsmann, another established manager out of work, is a strong choice for United's director of recruitment Christopher ­Vivell after their time working together at RB Leipzig.

Howe would still require a compensation fee of around £3 million due to Newcastle because of his pre-season exit.

But his appointment would be an interesting one as Howe was reportedly recommended to United by then-sporting director Dan Ashworth when it came to selecting a replacement for Erik ten Hag when he was relieved in October 2024.

The Athletic said that Ashworth put forward Howe, Marco Silva, Thomas Frank and Graham Potter as he wanted a manager with Premier League experience.

United went for Ruben Amorim in a process that didn't see much involvement from Ashworth. He left after just five months, with the disagreement said to have contributed to a breakdown in the relationship with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

United paid £3 million to bring Ashworth in from Newcastle, where he worked with Howe.

His early exit is said to have cost £1.1 million as part of Ashworth's severance package.

United could well be going back in time in going after Howe two years on but for now there is still said to be a quiet belief that Carrick can still turn things around.