Another boost for Carrick ahead of trip to Chelsea

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has returned to first-team training ahead of Saturday's trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It provides another timely boost for manager Michael Carrick following weeks of poor results and mounting uncertainty over his future. The club's hierarchy decided yesterday to keep Carrick in charge, while the manager has also cleared the air with captain Bruno Fernandes, who was benched against Bournemouth after criticising him following the defeat to Como.

Mainoo has missed United's last four matches, having not featured since the clash with Tottenham on October 10.

Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford both sat out the session. The forward remains sidelined due to a hip issue and is also dealing with groin discomfort.

Several youngsters stepped up to join the session, including 18-year-old Amir Ibragimov, Jim Thwaites, the Fletcher brothers, and Jariyah Shah.

United are desperate to halt a Premier League winless run that stretches back to late August. Carrick is due to address the media tomorrow afternoon in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Chelsea fixture.