Rio Ferdinand is rarely the voice of reason in the room but his description Manchester United as a “laughter” is correct as the old great club of Old Trafford goes from one crisis to another.
If you needed convincing that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox were ill-suited to lead a storied sporting institution, the events of the past fortnight provide ample proof.
The boy of the fall is Michael Carrick, sacked from his role as United boss this morning. Did Carrick deserve to stay? the Premier League relegation zone club having won one of their first 10 games – his worst start since 1986? No, probably not.
But what it definitely didn’t deserve was a strange outing that saw The Three Stooges (AKA Ratcliffe, Berrada and Wilcox) gather in Monaco to ostensibly discuss the way forward while the whole world knew what was coming next through leaks and press conferences.
It all meant that this morning’s announcement was inevitable and came shortly after Carrick was seen leaving the Carrington training ground after reporting for duty for the third morning on the trot as his future was debated elsewhere.
The speed with which Mauricio Pochettino has been lined up as his successor also suggests that Ratcliffe and Co had made up their minds long before they had the decency to inform the former United and England midfielder.
Speaking on YouTube, Ferdinand said: “It’s tiring, imagine being a club player right now. There’s nothing positive to say about Manchester United.
“The spotlight is on them and they don’t want it to be. United have become a laughing stock.
“The way it was done could have been better and the leaks that have come out are terrible and it adds to the disrespect of this situation for him (Carrick) and his family. Even his children will feel it. The least he should get is respect.”
United great Schmeichel is angry at Carrick’s treatment
Respect is a trait United used to be known for, but not anymore. Not since Ratcliffe bought into the Glazers side, promising big and delivering massive sackings, draconian ticketing policies that have alienated long-standing supporters and one of the worst teams in the top flight.
Another United big man, Peter Schmeichel, was also disgusted at how the hierarchy have treated a man who won five Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League crown under Sir Alex Ferguson.
said the Dane Sky Vegas: “Do you think these people know (Carrick’s record)? Do you think they care? These people are not Manchester United people. They don’t understand what it’s like to be one of Manchester United. They don’t know.
“That’s obviously part of the bigger issue here, part of the reason the club is where it is now. I’m not saying I feel sorry for Michael, but I’m a bit angry at how this great football club is treating one of their best players. Simple as that.”
Pochettino will settle in ahead of United’s next game at arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday and once the paperwork to release him from his contract with US Soccer has been completed. A trip to Anfield is not the quiet start he would have wanted as he tries to succeed where the likes of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim have failed.
The Argentine has spoken to United on numerous occasions previously about the role, but has always been overlooked. Now 54, he appears to be on the downswing, a bit of an official, rather than the rookie who guided Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final with a bright, young side that played with guts and vigor.
United need an overhaul but more importantly they need the Glazers to sell them
Bravery and vigor are certainly not characteristics he will find upon his arrival at Carrington.
Instead, he will inherit a heavy squad with heavy midfielders and poor quality defenders and forwards.
United need a major overhaul of the playing staff. The problem is that he will be overseen by Wilcox, whose previous successes include spending a total of £157m this summer on Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. That meant the team went into the season with a specialist left-back in Luke Shaw – yes, the perennially injured Luke Shaw who has made just five appearances this season – and no support from striker Benjamin Sesko, whose body is also made of glass.
So, incompetent sporting director, CEO out of his depth and a team high on egos but low on capacity. It’s not the most attractive position for Pochettino, and we haven’t even touched on the biggest problem he’ll face.
The stench of the Glazer family has permeated every corner of Old Trafford since Malcolm Glazer bought his first share in 2003. Thanks to John Magnier’s feud with Ferguson over the Rock of Gibraltar racehorse, the door was opened for Glazer to take majority control in 2005.
Ferguson’s brilliance meant the trophies kept coming, but the nature of Glazer’s leveraged buyout meant it was inevitable that it would eventually stop.
Fast forward to 2026 and there is a sense of futility in sacking Carrick and bringing in Pochettino. How to shuffle deck chairs on the Titanic.
The BBC conducted some Vox pops outside Old Trafford this morning to ask fans for their feelings on Carrick’s departure.
Asked if it would make a difference, one lady said, “No, not in my opinion.”
Another man added: “I really don’t think there is a single manager in world football who can take this football club from where it is now to a better position. Before the owners leave, there is no point in getting a new manager. You should also get the under-21 manager and put him in the football club.”
Same circus, new track manager. Good luck Mauricio.
