Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has directly addressed planned supporter protests against the club's ownership ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against Fulham at Old Trafford.
Carrick's Response to Fan Discontent
The former Middlesbrough boss, who has enjoyed a remarkable start to his tenure with victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, stated that neither he nor his players take offence at the planned demonstrations. Carrick emphasised that the team's recent successes and the supporters' grievances with the club hierarchy exist as separate matters.
Separating Performance from Ownership Issues
"I don't think it connects with the two wins, to be honest," Carrick explained regarding the protests. "It doesn't affect the team. I fully respect the supporters. They're incredible."
The manager acknowledged the fan group's long-standing frustrations while maintaining that the relationship between players and supporters remains strong within the stadium environment.
The 1958 Group's Criticism
The planned protests have been organised by The 1958 group, who have launched scathing criticism against the club's ownership structure. The supporters' collective has labelled co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as "an clown incompetent clown turning the club into a circus" while condemning what they describe as "a dysfunctional ownership model."
Their statement further criticised the Glazer family's continued financial involvement with the club, accusing them of "continuing to cream money off the club" despite ongoing fan discontent.
Maintaining the Connection
Carrick was keen to highlight the positive atmosphere he has experienced since taking charge, stating: "Within the stadium, the support we've felt has been of the highest level. The connection that we've had over the last couple of weeks has been pretty special."
The manager believes this mutual support between team and fans has been instrumental in their recent performances, with both parties feeding off the positive energy generated by Carrick's impressive start.
Looking Forward
Despite the external protests planned for before the Fulham match, Carrick remains focused on maintaining the momentum built during his first two games in charge. He expressed confidence that the matchday support would continue at its customary high level.
"I'm sure it will continue to be like that," Carrick said regarding fan support during matches. "We feel the utmost support from the supporters as much as ever, and that's where we want to keep moving towards."
The manager's comments suggest a deliberate strategy to compartmentalise ownership issues from on-pitch matters, allowing his team to concentrate on their football while acknowledging supporters' right to express their views about the club's direction.
