Manchester United’s support base may have played a decisive role in keeping Michael Carrick in place, after a striking split in the reaction at Old Trafford prompted what one report described as a “moment of realization” inside the dressing room.

Carrick was met with warm applause and songs from his playing days, while the players were booed heavily once he made his way down the tunnel. That contrast was not lost on those in the squad, who were said to understand that Carrick would not immediately “pay the price” for the team’s poor form. As David Ornstein put it, “We’ve not managed to see off another coach,” became the conclusion, with a determination to “put this right.”

The decision-makers, including sporting director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada, are understood to have assessed the mood inside the dressing room after the defeat to Bournemouth. That process left them willing to give Carrick at least until the approaching international break.

United’s next outing brought another defeat, though the performance was more competitive. They were the better side in a goalless first half against Chelsea, only to lose control after the interval. The hosts took the lead within five minutes of the restart, before Lisandro Martínez’s red card on the hour mark opened the door for Cole Palmer to convert a decisive penalty.

There was further evidence of resolve in midweek against Roma. United trailed 2-0 at the break and looked vulnerable to a heavier defeat, but responded to win 3-2. Even so, the second half was shaped by the fact that Roma failed to register a shot, on target or otherwise.

Several players have publicly backed Carrick, insisting the dressing room remains behind him. Bruno Fernandes, recalled after being dropped for questioning his manager’s tactics against Como, has also suggested limited communication with the coach during the tense period.

Ornstein also said the broader managerial market mattered. United were not thought to have a clear “dream target” available immediately, while Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann both have supporters inside the club. Antonio Conte, meanwhile, was not viewed as an obvious short-notice option if a summer pre-season was required.

Avram Glazer has reignited frustration around Manchester United by arguing that the club can still attract major commercial income even when results on the pitch fall short. The remark, reported as part of a discussion with investors at Deutsche Bank’s inaugural Sports Investment Conference, has only sharpened scrutiny of the club’s ownership model and its long-running disconnect between sporting standards and business strength.

Manchester United have now cycled through seven managers in 13 years, with Michael Carrick said to have been close to the exit before a chaotic Champions League comeback briefly changed his outlook. That sequence has done little to dispel the sense that the club has been shaped by confusion rather than clarity since Ferguson’s departure.

The Glazer family has owned a majority stake since the controversial leveraged buyout in 2005, and fans have long accused them of treating the club as an asset rather than a football institution. Former defender Paul Parker once captured that anger by calling the club “the highest-profile ATM machine in world football.”

Glazer’s latest point, conveyed by The Athletic, was that United “are not dependent on success on the pitch for commercial power,” and he is understood to have compared the club with the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees. Both are historic names whose value remains immense despite long gaps since their most recent major triumphs.

But the comparison only goes so far. While Manchester United remain among the game’s strongest commercial operations, their financial standing has been eroded by the rise of rivals whose on-field progress has translated into greater off-field strength. United’s commercial revenue has grown by only 9% over the past decade, far behind the expansion delivered by clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

That trend points to the central flaw in Glazer’s argument. United may still be powerful commercially, but their decline on the pitch has allowed others to close the gap, leaving the club less exceptional than it once was.

Gameweek 10 arrives with another international break looming, and Sunday’s late meeting between Manchester United and Aston Villa stands out as the pick of the round. Arsenal are back at Emirates Stadium after a fortnight away, while Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur all face testing trips on the road.

Everton vs Coventry may not light up the weekend, but it still carries weight for both sides. Everton are aiming to move above Liverpool, even if only briefly, while Coventry arrive in decent form and have won three of their last five Premier League matches. A first meeting between the clubs in nearly 26 years adds an extra layer.

Tottenham’s recent surge is harder to ignore. Three straight wins, including their result at Stamford Bridge, have changed the mood around them, and their attacking play is beginning to settle. Leeds, though, are unbeaten in four home matches and may be well placed to frustrate them.

Arsenal look well equipped to handle Hull, who have already caused problems for Man Utd and Chelsea on their return to the division. The champions are again top of the table and appear to have steadied themselves after their Carabao Cup disappointment and recent Europa and league successes.

Fulham and Newcastle both come into their meeting under new managers and both have obvious issues to solve, particularly in attack and in recent form. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, face a difficult evening against a City side seeking a response after back-to-back defeats.

Brighton’s consistency continues to impress after their win at Man City, and Brentford’s draw-heavy record makes them awkward opposition. Liverpool also need a lift after successive defeats, but Crystal Palace’s struggles suggest the visitors should edge it.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth’s strong run points towards another victory at Ipswich, while Chelsea should have enough to beat Sunderland despite the hosts’ historical success in this fixture. The round closes with Manchester United and Aston Villa, where a draw would do little to ease the pressure on the Red Devils.