Manchester United supporters gathered outside Old Trafford expressed anger and scepticism after the club confirmed Michael Carrick's departure as head coach, following the Reds' worst start in 40 years.
Carrick was sacked after just 10 months in charge, having been handed the job permanently only five months earlier after an initial interim spell. The decision came as United languish in the relegation zone with just 8 points from 10 Premier League games.
Club statement and fan reaction
Club bosses said they had come to the 'extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve [their] ambitions'. A statement added: "Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered."
Despite those warm words, there was a sense of anger among United fans outside Old Trafford. Some supporters told the Manchester Evening News they were angry at Carrick's treatment. There was also scepticism at the choice of former Spurs and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino as his replacement. The club has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Argentine and has contacted the United States Football Association to discuss compensation and his exit as USA national team boss.
Fans question the decision
Mandy Bradford, from Wythenshawe, said of Carrick: "I think it's absolutely disgraceful. Given what he did last year, the way they have treated him this year is diabolical. What's the next manager going to do? All the money they've spent. Give him a chance. The sacking of the manager isn't going to improve anything." She described the club's summer signings as 'bobbins' and said she 'really didn't know' who was now the right person to take United forward.
David Johnson, 38, originally from Telford in Shropshire and now living in Manchester city centre, said the decision was 'inevitable', but accused the club of showing 'massive disrespect' towards Carrick. His departure was the 'worst kept secret' in football, he said, adding that bosses should have 'put him out of his misery' earlier.
Asked if he believed the decision was unfair, David said: "If you look at results, you can't win one game in 10 in the Premier League. So in that aspect, no. But for what he did last season - and what a legend he is - yes."
Pochettino questioned
David also questioned Pochettino's credentials. "What has Mauricio Pochettino really done? Yes, he took a Tottenham squad to the Champions League final, but they didn't win anything. He had Neymar, Mbappe and Messi [at Paris St Germain] and they didn't work, didn't gel. So if he thinks he's going to come here and sort this mess out, I would be surprised. He might do alright for 10 games, as always tends to happen. But I think we'll be in the same position 12 months later."
Mark Fountain, 39, from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, said: "I kind of feel he could have been given a bit more time and a bit more love from the players and the board. There's too much chopping and changing going on right now. We need some consistency. Back to the dynasty of Sir Alex Ferguson. Have some trust in the manager." He said he believed the way it had been handled was 'not classy'.
"He's a club legend," Mark added. "The rumours have been going around about Pochettino for a while now. They should have really let him know before all that started." He said he believed Pochettino was probably the best available candidate, but that there are still 'a lot of question marks'. Despite his Premier League experience, Mark said he had concerns over his style of play.
Devastated and sceptical
Matt Jones, 29, from Little Hulton in Salford, said: "I'm pretty devastated, to be honest. I thought when he came in last season he really pulled us out of the depths, steadied the ship, and got us Champions League football. So for him to leave under such a dark cloud is a shame." He said he believed the club 'should have got someone new in the summer', but that once Carrick was given the role permanently, he should have been given more time to turn it around. Matt described the rumoured appointment of Pochettino as 'eight years too late' and a 'strange' choice, adding: "I don't think any manager could change it. I think the club's rotten from the inside."
Dane Massey, 29, from Prestwich, said Carrick 'wasn't backed sufficiently over the summer' and that as a result, 'we find ourselves here again, same old cycle where we're around November time with another manager sacked'. "It was the same with Mourinho, Ole, Ten Hag," he added. "They all went at this time of year and we find ourselves in this position again." He said the way Carrick's departure had played out was a 'disgrace'. "He's a human being at the end of the day; treat him like one," he said.
He said he was 'not so keen' on Pochettino. "Over 400 games in English football, zero trophies," Dane added. "But honestly, I don't think the club are bringing him here to win trophies," he said, adding he felt his record of having a 'positive net spend' at Spurs may be a big part of the hierarchy's thinking.
Mixed feelings and hopes
Nissen Lewis, 39, also from Prestwich, said he had 'mixed feelings' about the sacking of Carrick. He said he believed he had been 'let down a little bit' by the club's owners in the transfer market and also 'let down by some of the players as well'. "I think it's a great shame, because as a fan, we still love and respect him," he added. "But where we are in the table, I would say it's the right decision. We shouldn't be sitting in the relegation zone. Last season was great, he took us from a really terrible position to Champions League football. So it's a shame where we are right now."
He said he hoped the appointment of Pochettino wasn't a 'gap filler'. "Is he for the future? I don't know, time will tell," Nissen said, adding he was 'hopeful'.
Tanveer Singh, 23, from Malaysia and currently studying in London, said the decision was 'disappointing', adding: "I think it's a very unfair decision. He's not been given enough time." He said he didn't believe Mauricio Pochettino 'was suitable' and was not a 'magic solution'. "I think it's going to be a repeating problem, as a new manager comes in and then gets sacked," he added. "It's the same thing going on, and I think it's unfair. I think Michael Carrick is still the best man for the team."
Oscar Kidd, 14, from Nottinghamshire, said: "I don't really think it's Michael Carrick's fault. Loads of managers have been sacked in the past. I just don't think another will really solve the problem," he said, adding he thought the players needed to 'work a bit harder'. He 'didn't mind' Mauricio Pochettino coming in as he would likely 'be good short term', but said he feared he would eventually face the same fate as Carrick.
