Sources close to the Manchester United dressing room suggest that Michael Carrick was "hung out to dry" during his tenure, with internal discord and a hesitant board contributing to the team's struggles. The club reportedly dithered over Carrick's future while secretly attempting to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as his successor.
Issues within the squad reportedly surfaced on the flight back from Madrid, where players clashed following incendiary comments made after a loss to Atletico Madrid. Lisandro Martinez and Youri Tielemans were involved in an altercation on this flight.
Some players have also spoken of a perceived drop-off in training intensity under Carrick and his backroom staff. One dressing room source described Carrick's demeanor on the touchline as lacking passion, stating, “He doesn't upset anyone, but doesn't inspire anyone either.”
The team's defensive frailties were also evident, with United conceding 15 goals in Carrick's final four matches. The defeat against Aston Villa, where Alisson scored in the first minute, highlighted these issues.
Despite these challenges, Carrick had guided United to third place in the league and was awarded a two-year contract. However, the club's leadership is reportedly divided over recruitment and managerial decisions, with a power struggle between director of football Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell cited as a factor in the club's instability.
Carrick's body language after an earlier loss to Bournemouth had suggested he was aware of his precarious position, with him appearing to wave farewell to the Stretford End.
Carrick has continued to report for duty at Carrington even as speculation about his departure mounted.
The late winner for Matheus Cunha against Roma was a brief moment of hope, but it proved to be a false dawn for Carrick's management.
