All eyes are on Manchester United with under pressure Michael Carrick trying to turn results around following an eight-match winless run. The Reds take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

It’s no exaggeration to say Manchester United’s start to the 2026/27 season has been a disaster. The Reds have won just two of their first 12 matches across all competitions, have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup, and sit 16th, just one point adrift of the relegation zone.

This has led to uncertainty over Carrick’s future as head coach, though he has been given more time by United to turn results around. He needs a response from the players against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa or the board’s patience may run out.

The last time United played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in April, Carrick’s side came away with three points following a 1-0 win. The head coach would take any scoreline so long as it’s a positive one at this rate.

What did Michael Carrick say when Man Utd beat Chelsea in April?

United took a step towards securing Champions League qualification in April when Matheus Cunha scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Chelsea. It was a fourth Premier League defeat in a row for the hosts.

Chelsea, who will be without star striker Joao Pedro, failed to score in any of those defeats. They currently sit fifth in the Premier League and were previously praised for having the best attack in the division following a bright start under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Cunha’s goal came from Bruno Fernandes’ 18th assist in the league – during a campaign registered a record-breaking 21 assists. It was also United’s second league win at Stamford Bridge since 2002.

Carrick was forced to make changes for the game as Ayden Heaven partnered Noussair Mazraoui in the heart of defence. Speaking after the match, the 45-year-old stressed what it means to play a role in big wins over rivals for United. The comments also show a huge contrast to the pressure he’s now facing amid abysmal results.

“They’re the ones we live for, really,” Carrick said.

“That’s why we’re in it for, for the big games, the important games, for big performances and for the supporters to feel it. It gives me a lot of satisfaction when I can be part of that and see other people enjoying it so much. That’s the beauty of football, and the pure form of it.

“It was an important win in different ways. Coming through the suspensions and the injuries, and then with Leny [Yoro] pulling out quite late, and having to adapt. Boys take so much credit for that, and the coaches, to be honest, in terms of putting the plan together and adapting over the last couple of days and making sure everyone was in a good place. So there’s a lot of things to be proud of tonight. We can play a little bit better at times, but I thought it was a game for a result and in the end we managed to find it.”

In April, he hinted that big games are the reason he is still involved in football. The fixture this weekend is a test of nerve. It’s one where he has to show he can still deliver big results. The question is whether Carrick’s love for the occasion holds up when the pressure is about keeping his job and restoring harmony in the dressing room.