Michael Carrick treatment criticised as Man Utd let him take training before sacking

Man Utd’s handling of Michael Carrick’s sacking has been criticised by leading journalists. The club allowed him to take training for two days while they were working on his dismissal.

Carrick was sacked on Thursday morning after meeting director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada at Carrington. He had taken training on both Tuesday and Wednesday for the players not on international duty, while United were reaching a verbal agreement with Mauricio Pochettino.

The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell was among those to criticise the club on X. “Michael Carrick knows the industry but for #MUFC leaders to let him take training two days running while clearly working on his dismissal, with no real communication, is poor treatment,” he wrote.

Michael Carrick treatment: ‘Hung out to dry’

Whitwell was not alone. Fabrizio Romano also criticised how the club had handled it, Football365 reports.

On Wednesday, the Daily Mail reported that sources close to the dressing room felt Carrick had been “hung out to dry”. On talkSPORT, reporter Alex Crook said: “The lack of respect they’re showing to Carrick is absolutely terrible!”

Supporters felt the same. As our report on how Man Utd fans reacted showed, many were angered by reports that co-chairman Avram Glazer had signed off the Pochettino deal while Carrick was still in charge.

Carrick’s warning in Dublin

There are signs Carrick saw trouble coming. According to Football365, he made clear at United’s summer training camp in Dublin that he was disappointed by the lack of investment in the squad, with Wilcox present.

Carrick had been handed the job permanently in the summer on a two-year contract, after an interim spell in which he took United to third and back into the Champions League.

This season, United took eight points from their first 10 league games and won only two of five matches in the Carabao Cup and Champions League. They are 18th in the Premier League.

‘Leaves with head held high’

Despite the manner of his exit, Carrick leaves with plenty of goodwill. Andy Mitten, editor of United We Stand, wrote on X: “Top lad, got the team in the Champions League against expectations. Gave it his all, night and day. Protected others, never threw anyone under a bus.”

Carrick made 464 appearances for United as a player, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League. He then coached under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and had an unbeaten three-game caretaker spell in 2021.

What happens next?

Pochettino is set to take over once United trigger the $10m (£7.5m) release clause in his USA contract. He is expected to lead the USA against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday first.

United’s next game is at Liverpool on Sunday 22 November. Read the full story of why Michael Carrick was sacked, and follow the latest on our Premier League news hub.

FAQ

Why has Man Utd’s treatment of Michael Carrick been criticised?
He was allowed to take training for two days while the club were working on his sacking and agreeing terms with Pochettino. The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell called it “poor treatment”.

When was Michael Carrick sacked?
On Thursday 12 November, after a meeting with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada at Carrington.

Who will replace Michael Carrick?
Mauricio Pochettino, who has verbally agreed terms with United.