Michael Carrick appears to be enduring a slow and difficult departure from his role, with the situation becoming increasingly painful to watch. Part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will increase the pressure when he flies into England tomorrow prior to Manchester United travelling to face Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime.
Ratcliffe spent time at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe before returning to his home in Monaco. Chelsea represents Ratcliffe's local area on this side of the Channel, with the Ineos office situated in Knightsbridge near Harrods, and his Grenadier pub located about a ten-minute walk away. Ratcliffe has not yet witnessed the Red Devils win at Stamford Bridge since becoming co-owner. When his minority stake was confirmed, he stated the environment was wrong at United, though he has failed to fix it.
During the past week, the manager was publicly undermined by his captain before selecting a team that indicated he knew his time was running out. Supporters jeered the players, abused the director of football, and sang chants about placing owners Ratcliffe and the Glazers on a bonfire. During United's 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, the chant that hit closest to home for Ratcliffe was when fans sang that Ineos's mantra of being best in class was a joke, as they have actually made United worse.
Around 18 months ago, Ratcliffe remarked that if abuse reached the level directed at the Glazer family, he would step aside and let someone else take over. Despite this, matchgoers no longer separate Ratcliffe from the Glazers. Less than three years into the Ineos era, Ratcliffe and his associates attempted to operate differently, yet conditions remain unchanged.
When invited to celebrate the financial charges faced by Manchester City in February 2024, Sir Jim declined, and the reason soon became clear as United began hiring former City staff. Four former City figures regularly sit together in the directors box, including chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, director of performance Sam Erith, and director of communications Toby Craig. Berrada is the only one who moved directly from City, while Wilcox previously played for Leeds.
When United recruited Berrada, it was viewed as a major coup after his 13 years working at a successful club with strong recruitment and an expanding stadium. However, an independent report into City charges described that operation as a sham. United have defended Berrada by insisting he is not involved in those allegations.
Wilcox, aged 55, took over as director of football in June 2025 and previously appointed Russell Martin at Southampton alongside Carrick. Erith once joined reporters on a tour of United's 50 million pound Carrington training complex, where he avoided eye contact during questions and let the former football director of communications Andrew Ward answer instead. Ward left his role after Murtough departed in April 2024 following 11 years at the club, paving the way for Dan Ashworth who lasted only five months.
Wilcox does not speak publicly and has yet to explain why United decided to keep Carrick for another match. Recent job cuts have removed familiar faces from the organisation. While clubs can survive such turmoil during good results on the pitch, United are currently dropping toward the relegation zone.
