Manchester United have decided Michael Carrick will remain in charge for the trip to Stamford Bridge, despite mounting scrutiny following damaging performances against Como and Bournemouth and public criticism from senior players.

United sources confirmed four hours after Carrick arrived at Carrington at 07:30 GMT on Tuesday that the 45-year-old would lead the team at Stamford Bridge. Carrick also took training as usual, indicating that no immediate change had been made to the manager's position.

Pressure on Carrick has intensified since United's 4-1 defeat at Como on 21 October, described in the source material as one of the club's worst European nights. Andy Mitten, the United We Stand fanzine editor who interviewed chief executive Omar Berrada for the club in June, called the display “an affront to the name of Manchester United”.

Captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned Carrick's tactics after the Como loss and raised concerns about whether the coaching staff had identified the problems during the match. A week earlier, defender Lisandro Martinez said he had expected greater investment in the squad and “more from our technical director”, directing criticism towards Jason Wilcox.

The comments added to concerns within the club that the situation around the squad was becoming increasingly difficult. United nevertheless opted not to dismiss Carrick in the immediate aftermath of the Como result, believing such a move could appear impulsive and driven by the reaction to one match.

Carrick was therefore retained for the Bournemouth fixture, but the performance in that game further increased pressure on him. Fernandes did not play, having been named among the substitutes. Afterwards, the Portugal international liked an Instagram post carrying the caption: “Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care”.

BBC Sport understood late on Sunday that United had not reached a final decision to sack Carrick and that discussions would continue into Monday. No announcement followed that day.

Players who started against Bournemouth were given the day off on Monday. Fernandes was nevertheless at Carrington for pre-arranged treatment, while Carrick watched a behind-closed-doors Under-21s match.

Berrada and Wilcox were also at the training ground to discuss the club's immediate plans. Sources said it was inconceivable that minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family would not have been involved in those discussions.

By early Monday evening, it had become apparent there would be no update on Carrick's future. On Tuesday, Carrick, Fernandes and several other players signed autographs and posed for photographs with a group of fans invited to Carrington before United confirmed Carrick would stay in charge for the Stamford Bridge match.