Manchester United keep Carrick in charge for Chelsea trip

Manchester United have kept Michael Carrick in charge for their trip to Chelsea after the team’s 3-0 Premier League defeat by Bournemouth, a decision Gary Neville said surprised him but that he welcomed. The former United captain said he had expected Carrick to lose his job after the Bournemouth match. He said he was happy the club had retained him and hoped the manager could get the players playing for him again. Carrick is due to lead United against Chelsea on Saturday, with a media appearance scheduled for Friday. Neville also questioned how the club reached its decision. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, he said United may have debated the matter after the Bournemouth loss and kept Carrick because of poor planning, a shortage of available options and indecision. He stressed that he did not know what had happened inside the club, so his account of the deliberations was speculation rather than a confirmed explanation. The decision came after United’s defeat left the team 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone, according to one report. Carrick had also faced scrutiny following a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League. The reports said...