Michael Carrick was just the latest fall guy for Manchester United’s dysfunctional hierarchy | Jamie Jackson

Carrick's sacking reveals the alarming dysfunction at Manchester United, where conflicting decisions by football executives have created a chaotic environment. The former manager was dealt a treacherous hand by a hierarchy that includes director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, who have come in for significant criticism for their disjointed operations.

The situation began when Eddie Howe, initially favored to succeed Carrick, was passed over in favor of Mauricio Pochettino. Howe had been Wilcox's choice to replace Erik ten Hag after his sacking in October 2024, but Wilcox disagreed with Ashworth's recommendation and Sir Jim Ratcliffe went with Wilcox's man, Ruben Amorim, leading to Ashworth's departure just five months after joining.

Manager's Authority Undermined

Carrick's inability to assert authority in the dressing room became evident in his final month, when two players crossed lines that undermined his position. Lisandro Martínez, a de facto captain, criticized Wilcox's recruitment after a 2-0 defeat by Atlético Madrid, while Bruno Fernandes, the official captain, questioned Carrick's tactics following a 4-1 humiliation at Como.

Precedent of Dysfunction

Carrick's situation mirrors that of José Mourinho, who faced similar challenges when managing United from 2016 to 2018. Despite winning the Carabao Cup and Europa League, Mourinho had to navigate a hierarchy that believed it knew better than the football expert it had hired. The Portuguese famously described achieving second place with 81 points as one of his finest achievements, acknowledging the difficulties of managing under Ed Woodward's oversight.

Mourinho demonstrated streetwise tactics that Carrick apparently lacked, such as using off-the-record comments to influence player decisions. This pragmatic approach helped Mourinho manage a dressing room that included players he wanted removed, a strategy that might have helped Carrick address the malevolent influences in his squad.

Club's Future Uncertain

The dismissal of Carrick leaves Manchester United in a precarious position, with the club currently in the relegation zone. The dysfunctional hierarchy continues to make illogical decisions, as evidenced by Wilcox's ability to recommend Howe nearly two years after rejecting him, suggesting that the fundamental issues at the club extend beyond managerial changes.

As the club searches for its eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement 13 and a half years ago, questions remain about whether the current leadership structure can provide the stability necessary to restore Manchester United to its former glory.