Manchester United latest: Michael Carrick fights for future as Bruno Fernandes decision made for Chelsea trip

Bruno Fernandes has kept the Manchester United captaincy after his clear-the-air talks with manager Michael Carrick.

Fernandes was described as being back to the best version of himself in training earlier this week and spoke to Carrick individually.

Carrick said there was no decision to be made on keeping Fernandes as captain and gave the midfielder his full backing.

“He’s an important player for this group,” said Carrick. “He has been and he will be. Between us, we’ve got to make a difference and we’ve got to push things in a good direction.

“He’s fully committed to this football club, he’s fully committed to making things better. It doesn’t change for me. He’s the one that’s kind of led the team so well for many a game and many a year, and he’ll continue to do that.

“He’s the captain of our football club. There are different personalities, different characters, different ways to lead.

“It all comes down to what happens on the football pitch and whether you win or not. Questions get asked, I understand, but he cares deeply about this club and the team. He’s desperate to do well.”

Bruno Fernandes is available for selection after holding talks with Michael Carrick and remains captain, too. Kobbie Mainoo is back in training but Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu remain out and Benjamin Sesko is likely to be sidelined until the new year due to a shin problem.

Joao Pedro remains out for Chelsea but Cole Palmer returns from suspension after missing Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Liverpool. Maxence Lacroix has been ruled out for a few weeks after hurting his hamstring at Anfield but Moises Caicedo is fit, while Estevao’s lack of involvement has become a talking point after he remained on the bench at Anfield. Mike Penders will remain in goal due to Emi Martinez’s broken jaw, with the young Belgian hoping to do a lot better than last week’s performance in the defeat to Tottenham.

Another Premier League weekend awaits as the Manchester United circus rolls on. This afternoon they’re up at Chelsea, who could be plunged into a bit of a crisis themselves if results go against them today.

But the big surprise is that Michael Carrick remains United manager. They say a week is a long time in football but the expectation following Sunday’s defeat to Bournemouth was that Carrick had taken charge of his final match. Instead, he has been given another opportunity to try and turn their season around.