Dorking Wanderers boss and owner Marc White has praised Manchester United fans for their reaction to Michael Carrick and his players after the loss to Bournemouth. White, known for his outspoken views, criticised the situation at Old Trafford but commended supporters for sticking by the club legend.
Carrick Stays in Charge
Carrick remains in charge for Saturday's Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge following crisis talks with the club's hierarchy. The 45-year-old former Red Devils midfielder was expected to be dismissed after United conceded seven goals and scored only one across the 3-0 Bournemouth defeat at Old Trafford and the 4-1 loss at Como in the Champions League.
After the Bournemouth result, United fans sang Carrick's name defensively before directing their anger at the underachieving players. As the players left the pitch, the Stretford End booed immediately after Carrick had headed down the tunnel.
White's Verdict
White exclusively told the Daily Star Sport that the fans' reaction was perfect. "I think it's just brilliant and amazing that the United fans were singing his name," he said. "I think it's a bit like when the Super League came about and all the football fans, because football fans are quite good when it matters. Football fans of different clubs tend to have each other's backs because I think fans know the principles behind the game and s*** foreign owners that do no good by their club, and not liked across the game."
He added: "I loved it that United fans sung Carrick's name, because obviously, whether or not Carrick's going to be a world beater manager, clearly he's not the problem at United."
Ownership Blamed
White insisted that Carrick, who won all there is to win at Old Trafford as a player, should keep his job, with the real issue being the failings of the Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe ownership and the club's board. "To a degree, these owners at United, they've got a get out clause every time they keep getting a new manager in. It's a bit like it buys them a bit of time. The real issue there is the owners and if I was a United fan, I would just sing his [Carrick] name every week," he said.
"I'd boo the players off every week until they realised that they weren't wanted or they needed to put up a shift in. And I'd put pressure on the owners to sort the s***show out. I think it's 12 managers since Fergie. The team that he's inherited is off the back of Amorim, who's got all sorts of weird players, recruited to play in different formations. He's got no chance."
White concluded: "If I were the United fans, I'd be asking for Carrick not to get removed because they keep falling for this three card trick of the owners getting new managers. Where really what they want to do is go 'nah, no more new managers, you lot sort the club out, you keep one of our people in charge until you do, and then we'll have a chat about it.'"
