MANCHESTER, England (UGNEWSLINE) – Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised the club’s board and players following the reported sacking of Michael Carrick, arguing that the former midfielder was not given enough support to succeed at Old Trafford.
Ferguson, who coached Carrick during his successful spell at Manchester United, said the manager was let down by both the club’s leadership and players who failed to stand behind him when the team faced difficulties.
“Carrick is my boy. I know how much this club means to him. He has Manchester United in his heart, and I’ve always seen his commitment, passion and desire to take this club forward,” Ferguson said.
He questioned whether Carrick had been provided with the quality of players and institutional backing required to compete at the highest level, insisting that managers cannot deliver results without adequate resources.
“You cannot expect a manager to deliver miracles without giving him the tools, players and support he needs. Carrick was expected to compete at the highest level, but was he given the squad and backing to do that? I don’t think so,” he said.
Ferguson said Carrick had demonstrated his potential during the previous season, pointing to the structure and direction he was trying to establish at the club before results became inconsistent.
He dismissed suggestions that Carrick was not strong enough to handle the pressure of managing one of the world’s biggest football clubs, arguing that the team’s problems went beyond the manager.
“Don’t tell me the pressure was too much for him. It wasn’t about him being too small for Manchester United. He was fighting a battle without enough weapons. A manager can only do so much when his players aren’t giving everything,” Ferguson said.
The former manager also questioned the commitment of some players, suggesting that their performances under Carrick did not reflect the effort expected from Manchester United players.
He predicted that some players could suddenly improve their performances when a new manager takes charge, arguing that such a change would raise questions about their commitment during Carrick’s tenure.
“When another manager comes in, watch how some of these players suddenly start running, fighting and giving everything on that pitch. That will tell you a lot about what happened under Carrick,” he added.
Ferguson, who managed Manchester United for 26 years and won numerous domestic and European titles, also rejected comparisons between his managerial experience and Carrick’s situation.
He explained that his success was partly built on having the backing of the club’s board, which allowed him to recruit players who understood his philosophy and fitted into his long-term plans.
He said his teams were built around players who believed in his methods, understood his demands and were prepared to fight for one another.
Using an analogy to explain the situation, Ferguson argued that Manchester United must address its wider structural and squad problems instead of placing responsibility entirely on the manager.
“You cannot fix a broken car by charging the driver. If the entire machine is damaged, blaming the person behind the steering wheel won’t solve the problem. Manchester United must look beyond the manager,” he said.
Ferguson maintained that Carrick deserved more patience, stronger backing from the board and greater commitment from the players.
He concluded by wishing his former player well, reaffirming the personal bond they share from their time together at Old Trafford.
“I wish Michael Carrick nothing but the very best in his future. He will always be one of my boys,” Ferguson said.
