Michael Carrick and Bruno Fernandes have held clear-the-air talks as the Manchester United manager and captain try to rebuild their relationship.

Fernandes was critical of Carrick’s tactics, and the team’s lack of pressing, in United’s 4-1 defeat to Como last week.

And four days later the reigning PFA Player of the Year was dropped from the team and left unused as a substitute during the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, with Carrick describing his omission as a “pure football” decision.

But whereas Sunday seemed to signal the end of Carrick’s reign, United instead decided against sacking the 45-year-old and he will be in charge for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.

He and Fernandes spoke at United’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday in a conversation which could pave the way for the Portugal international to return to the team.

Fernandes is deemed to have been back to the best version of himself in the last couple of days after a tough two weeks.

But he has failed to find form this season and has not scored in his last seven appearances, while his only Premier League goals came in August, when he scored a hat-trick against Ipswich.

Carrick preferred to pick summer signing Youri Tielemans and Mason Mount instead of Fernandes for the Bournemouth game.