“Another tough moment” – Man United Supporters Trust asks for answers after Michael Carrick is let go
The Manchester United Supporters Trust has shared an official response to Michael Carrick’s sacking.
After a tough few weeks and a poor start to the 2026/27 season, Manchester United announced on Thursday morning that head coach Carrick had been let go.
The club currently sits 18th in the Premier League after 10 games, and worries about relegation are growing.
Many fans feel a bit indifferent about the decision, understanding it was probably necessary, while still appreciating everything Carrick has done for the club.
But the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), which is the biggest supporters’ trust in the UK with 200,000 members, feels strongly about this. They want the club’s owners to finally take responsibility.
Although Carrick couldn’t continue as head coach given the club’s poor league and Champions League form, most fans hold the owners accountable, not Carrick himself.
Before recent home matches, fans in the famous Stretford End protested against club owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.
In their statement, MUST called Carrick’s exit “depressing” and urged the Glazers to own up to their role in the club’s problems, especially after their debt-funded takeover.
The statement said:
“Michael Carrick’s departure is another sad moment for Manchester United. We thank him for his hard work and for bringing hope last season. Fans still hold him in high regard.
Fans support Carrick because they know he isn’t the main cause of the club’s troubles — that blame lies with the owners.
The Glazers’ takeover, which was debt-funded, continues to weigh heavily on the club. When INEOS stepped in, they promised success, but with constant changes in leadership, we’ve seen the opposite.
It’s time for the owners to explain themselves and take responsibility.
But the problems go beyond the pitch.
Harsh ticket policies have hurt the relationship with fans. Treating loyal supporters mainly as a way to make money damages the special bond they have with the team during tough times.
Fans are paying the price for the owners’ poor management and their stadium plans through higher costs and fewer rights.
The Stretford End banner saying ‘The way you treat us is a disgrace’ was a warning.
The heavy booing at Old Trafford and recent criticism from senior players show the club is more divided than ever.
This shows a growing gap between the fans, players, and those running Manchester United.
MUST warned back in January 2025 that pushing fans away could lead to a downward spiral in atmosphere, performance, and finances.
Our article in The Telegraph asked Sir Jim Ratcliffe to break this ‘doom loop’ by including supporters—those warnings still apply today.
The owners must let senior management change direction: take responsibility, rebuild trust, listen to fans, and remember that their loyalty is key to success.
Changing the head coach again won’t fix what the owners are breaking.”