Bruno Fernandes expected to start against Chelsea after clear-the-air talks with Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick - reports

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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has reportedly held clear-the-air talks with captain Bruno Fernandes before facing Chelsea on Saturday, live with TNT Sports on HBO Max.

Carrick's position appeared under threat after United were beaten 3-0 at home by Bournemouth on Sunday, but he is set to be given further time in charge.

Fernandes was an unused substitute against Bournemouth after criticising the team's tactics in their UEFA Champions League loss away to Como.

Carrick said Fernandes was dropped from the team for "pure football" reasons.

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It has been reported by Sky Sports that Carrick and Fernandes met at the training ground for an "open and frank discussion", which left the head coach "satisfied the animosity between them is over."

However, it is not known if Fernandes apologised for his public criticism of Carrick's approach against Como.

Fernandes said the decision not to press man to man gave Como too much time and that United should have pressed higher up the pitch.

‘I take responsibility’ - Carrick reflects on Bournemouth defeat

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It was reported by the Guardian that following his meeting with Carrick, in which he said he is fully committed to helping the team improve their form, Fernandes is now expected to start against Chelsea as United look to end a run of eight matches in all competitions without a win.

Asked about dropping Fernandes against Bournemouth, Carrick said: "He's fit and available but we decided to pick the team that we did today. Unfortunately for everyone we didn't manage to get the right result.

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"We want to push forward and create more, we could've done certain things but not enough really and that's pretty clear."

United are 16th in the Premier League table with just seven points from eight matches. Their only victory of the campaign so far was against newly-promoted Ipswich, with Fernandes scoring a hat-trick, his only goals of the Premier League season so far.

Former Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and ex-Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann are reportedly the front-runners if United decide to move on from Carrick.

United could get a boost against Chelsea as midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has returned to training.

Mainoo has not played since October 10 owing to injury.

Asked about his future following the loss to Bournemouth, Carrick said: "I totally understand the situation. I’m not expecting anything in particular to be honest, I’m carrying on as normal. 

"I love this place and I’ll always do what I feel is going to be best for the football club, whatever decision is made on anything, really. That’s kind of it, I’m not expecting either way."

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