Headline: Manchester United Supporters’ Trust Critiques Ownership Following Carrick’s Sacking
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) has branded Michael Carrick‘s sacking “another depressing moment” and argued the club’s problems rest primarily with its ownership, in a now-familiar plea to end the ongoing feeling of crisis at Old Trafford.
United sacked Carrick after only 10 matches into the Premier League season, leaving the team in the relegation zone with just one win so far this domestic campaign.
The club’s leadership convened with minority owner Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday to deliberate on Carrick’s future. A statement released on Thursday revealed that they had “come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.”
Former manager of Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino, who currently manages the US men’s national team, is in line to replace him.
The club’s statement acknowledged Carrick as a “Manchester United legend,” and MUST echoed this sentiment, highlighting that “his standing among supporters remains undiminished.” However, they criticized club ownership for the turbulent situation engulfing the team.
In their statement, they remarked, “Michael Carrick’s departure marks another depressing moment for Manchester United. We thank him for his service and for restoring hope during the second half of last season. His standing among supporters remains undiminished.” The statement emphasized, “The reason Manchester United fans have continued to support Michael Carrick in recent weeks is that they know that responsibility for United’s problems does not primarily rest with him or indeed his predecessors as manager. They lie with the ownership.”
MUST went on to criticize “The Glazers’ debt-funded takeover,” which continues to impose financial strain on the club. They stated, “When Ineos came in they promised sporting excellence, but yet with repeated changes in football leadership we have seen anything but.” They insisted it was time for the owners to “explain themselves and show some accountability.”
They further condemned “aggressive ticketing policies” which they say have alienated supporters, asserting that fans are forced to bear the cost of the owners’ mismanagement through increased charges and reduced rights.
They concluded, “The unprecedented scale of the booing at Old Trafford, alongside public criticism from senior players in recent weeks, now points to a deeper deterioration. These are signs of a club becoming more divided, with the bond between supporters, players, and those running Manchester United under increasing strain.”
Defender Lisandro Martinez publicly criticizedthe club’s hierarchy for not doing more to support Carrick in the transfer market after the team’s 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last month. The disappointing performances on the field have sparked protests against ownership and loud booing directed at the players, though fans have also shown solidarity for Carrick at Old Trafford.
MUST concluded their statement by urging ownership to allow club management to shift direction: “show accountability, rebuild trust, listen to supporters and recognize that their loyalty is fundamental to football success.” They warned, “Another change of head coach cannot repair what the ownership continues to undermine.”
