Calls for legend’s sacking as angry fans boo Man United off after shocker
Updated . First published at
Michael Carrick is being tipped to lose his job as Manchester United manager after the fallen giant club slumped to another embarrassing loss on Monday (AEDT).
Bournemouth hammered United 3-0 at Old Trafford to leave the toothless Red Devils 16th of 20 teams with just one win from eight games.
Michael Carrick reacts to supporters after his team lost. AP Photo/Dave Thompson
Club legend Carrick only signed on as permanent manager five months ago, and he again could only offer apologetic waves to the home fans before a chorus of boos rained down on his players.
The Premier League is a brutal business and Carrick was asked directly if he expected to be sacked this week.
“I totally understand the situation,” the 45-year-old ex-England star said.
“I’m not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. I’m carrying on as normal, and I love this place. I always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club, whatever decision is made on anything really…
“It wasn’t a farewell from me. What it looks like, what is next - I really don’t know. But I’ll always do what’s best for this football club.”
Carrick made the bold decision to drop captain Bruno Fernandes after the Portugal gun criticised his tactics after the previous 4-1 Champions League loss to Como.
Fernandez sat on the bench dejected as Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson scored for Bournemouth.
United are just one point above the relegation zone and their seven point haul is their worst return at this stage of a season since 1986-87.
Gary Neville, Carrick’s ex-teammate, summed up the dire situation succinctly post-match.
"The Manchester United fans are singing the Michael Carrick song because I think they know what's going to happen here," Neville said.
“They are probably going to sack him.”
Manchester United supporters hold a banner after their team lost. AP Photo/Dave Thompson
‘They’ are the wildly unpopular owners: the American Glazer family and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Some United fans advised them to “sell the club and f--- off home” and to “shove their new stadium up your a---.”
Another of Carrick’s ex-teammates, Ashley Young, said the team was simply not responding to their manager.
“The fans are behind him and backing him because he’s a legend of the football club,” Young said.
"But the players on the pitch showed nothing. They didn't run, they didn't look like a team together. You could tell today that it was like they'd given up."
Carrick appeared close to tears when asked about the supporters’ backing
“To be in such a difficult situation and go through a day like we have done and a spell like we have done is certainly difficult to take,” he said.
“So there’s real mixed emotions in there for sure... just appreciation for the fans and what they’ve showed me.”
Football’s new home, Stan Sport, is the only place to watch the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, WSL, J.League, NWSL and K League
