WHEN Michael Carrick disappeared down the tunnel after Manchester United’s loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, the support from fans for a legendary player turned to hostility and anger at the current squad.

The atmosphere afterwards was said to be emotional.

Carrick was the last to leave the stadium and, as usual, patiently posed for selfies and signed shirts for the fans who remained on what had been a foul day weather-wise, and an awful one on the pitch.

Asked in his post-match news conference if he expected to be in charge for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea, Carrick said: “I’m not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. I’m carrying on as normal.”

Few felt that was sustainable. Even Carrick’s coaching team wondered whether they would survive.

And yet, that is what has happened.

United have decided Carrick and his players will have the chance to turn the present situation around. No timescale has been put on this, but Carrick will be in charge at Chelsea, with his team 16th on the table.

They have a crucial Champions League match against Roma three days later, then a Premier League encounter with in-form Aston Villa before a two-week international break.

No-one from Manchester United is saying so, but that would be the most obvious time to decide if a change of coach is required. (BBC Sport)