Manchester United ’s decision-makers took the decision not to make a decision. Perhaps that was typical. If some of their failings in recent years have stemmed from the choices they have made, some have been the result of the times when they did not act.

And so, just when it felt inevitable they would sack Michael Carrick , they did not. Carrick was at Carrington on Monday along with chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox. He took training on Tuesday. He will be in charge against Chelsea on Saturday and given the chance to turn an increasingly wretched situation around.…