Manchester United Face Chelsea With Carrick in Charge

Manchester United will play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Head coach Michael Carrick will remain in charge in a surprise decision by the club. United have not won in eight matches, during which they have conceded 15 goals and scored only 6.

The problems have spilled beyond the pitch. Defender Lisandro Martinez said after the poor result against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League that the club needs higher standards and that there is a lack of hunger. Captain Bruno Fernandes questioned the team's tactics after the defeat to Como. He paid the price for those comments by sitting on the substitutes' bench.

Carrick said no decision has been made on the captaincy and that Bruno remains an important player for the group. Still, the picture suggests the head coach's authority has weakened. On paper the squad does not look bad, but United can find themselves close to the relegation zone.

Since Ferguson's departure, the club has changed eight permanent head coaches, and none of them has delivered lasting success. With Jim Ratcliffe in charge of the club, it has been criticized for focusing on commercial revenue targets. Fan protests have not brought about any fundamental change.

At Chelsea, there are positive signs under Xabi Alonso, but the team now needs to start getting results. Saturday's match will be an important threshold for both sides.