Neville says managers sometimes need sacking 'for their own good' as Man Utd keep Carrick

Michael Carrick remains Manchester United manager and is expected to hold a pre-match news conference on Thursday, after former club captain Gary Neville said managers sometimes need to be dismissed “for their own good” amid a winless run.

Carrick’s position has been the subject of intense speculation after eight games without a win. Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth left United one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

United have won only two of 12 matches in all competitions this season. Their seven points from eight league games represent the club’s worst start to a league season in 40 years.

Carrick, 45, a former United and England midfielder, is expected to speak to the media later on Thursday before Saturday’s league match away to Chelsea.

Neville questions United’s decision-making

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville said he did not know for certain but believed the club’s hierarchy had debated Carrick’s future after the Bournemouth loss and ended up in a muddle. He said staying with Carrick was a result of a lack of planning, a lack of available options and a lack of decision-making around the two people who were probably available.

Neville, a former teammate of Carrick, added: “Sometimes a manager needs sacking for their own good. I needed sacking at Valencia. I was happy that they put me out of my misery.”

Both Eddie Howe, previously in charge of Newcastle, and former Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann have been touted as possible replacements.

Carrick appears to have the backing of United supporters. He was warmly applauded by fans as he walked down the tunnel after the Bournemouth defeat, while the players were booed moments later.

Carrick was given a two-year deal in May after inspiring a revival following the team’s struggles under Ruben Amorim. United finished third in the Premier League and returned to the Champions League. The decline this season is familiar for supporters, who last saw a Premier League title triumph 13 years ago under Alex Ferguson.

Neville calls for Glazer exit

Neville said the root of United’s problems is majority owners the Glazer family, saying “enough is enough” as he urged them to sell up. The Glazers took control in a controversial takeover in 2005 and remain majority owners after selling a minority stake to British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe in 2024.

Neville, a longstanding critic, said: “There’s 1.2 billion pounds [$1.6 billion] of debt in that football club, they’re hamstrung in some ways.” He added: “You’ve got a failure of 13, 14 years on the football side, you’ve subbed it out to somebody else [Ratcliffe] which is ridiculous, and not took responsibility ... Enough is enough, they have to sell the whole club.”

“The fans have had enough. They have to go now.”

Source: Al Jazeera.