Manchester United are working to finalise the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach, with Michael Carrick expected to be sacked once a final order is received from Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The club has been criticised for the way the situation has been handled, with Carrick continuing to report to Carrington for training while speculation over his future intensifies.
Carrick left waiting as decision delayed
It emerged on Monday that United were expected to sack Carrick, but the final order is required from Ratcliffe at a meeting in Monaco, meaning the episode has dragged on. United sources have insisted no final decision has been made, though reports suggest the board has already decided to replace Carrick with Pochettino.
Carrick has continued to come into work while his employers lay the groundwork to appoint Pochettino. Whenever he has arrived or left Carrington this week, he has been greeted by the sight and sound of cameras flashing as his bosses continue to dither.
Respect for a club legend questioned
The treatment of Carrick has been described as disgraceful, with the manager left to face a public media circus. Carrick is not the type of character to drag his employers through the mud, largely out of deep respect for United as an institution, but he has not been treated like someone United consider to be a club legend.
There is a small possibility that Carrick has already learned his fate before he returned to take training on Tuesday morning, which would essentially involve him serving as a caretaker manager. However, it is highly unlikely that conversation has happened, and it would be a natural reaction to feel heavily insulted by any such request from the board.
Similar episode under Ineos
A similar episode played out before Ineos decided to extend Erik ten Hag's contract. They spoke openly to other managers while the Dutchman awaited direct communication, and he recently admitted that he was affected by the media reports. Ineos have not learned from that summer, and the fact that they have contacted Pochettino's representatives before talking to Carrick is unacceptable.
Carrick was let down by the board in the summer transfer window and has been let down again in the final days of his tenure. Ratcliffe's regime has botched nearly every decision they have been faced with since gaining control of football operations, and Carrick deserves better.
