Jamie Carragher has made his feelings clear on Michael Carrick, refusing to show sympathy as he delivered a blunt assessment after the Manchester United manager was sacked
Michael Carrick
Jamie Carragher offered a brutal verdict on Michael Carrick
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has delivered a ruthless verdict on Michael Carrick following his departure from Manchester United.
United confirmed on Thursday that Carrick had been sacked just 10 games into the new season, with the club languishing in the Premier League relegation zone. In a statement, United confirmed Carrick's departure was prompted by a disappointing start to the new season, with the club deciding a change was necessary to meet its ambitions.
The club also praised his impact after returning in January, highlighting his role in guiding United to third place last season after winning 12 of his 17 Premier League games in charge. United described Carrick as a club legend and said they intend to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.
United is now expected to turn to Mauricio Pochettino as Carrick's successor, with the club already holding talks with the current USMNT head coach over the role.
Carrick's time in charge lasted just 11 months, including his spell as interim manager. While his departure has prompted some sympathy, Carragher – speaking shortly before the announcement – suggested the 45-year-old had little reason to complain given he secured the role despite having a relatively limited managerial CV.
"Michael Carrick got the job on the back of nothing. He got the job on the back of basically playing for Man United and he's done really well," Carragher said on Stick to Football.
Jamie Carragher speaking on Stick to Football
Jamie Carragher said he felt no sympathy for Michael Carrick(Image: Stick to Football)
"So this idea that we've got to feel sorry for Michael Carrick. What's happened to him in the last 18 months, he will look back at this and say it's painful for him right now but what he did to get them into the Champions League, the big games he won against Arsenal, Liverpool, all these games, he's done brilliantly.
"He's had a couple of games, the Roma game and coming back for 4-4 [against Aston Villa]. Where they are in the table is obviously [an issue] but that thing of the fans chanting his name as he's going off.
"But I'm not sat here feeling sorry for Michael Carrick. He's not a manager who's been managing for 10 years, working all over the world to get this job at Manchester United - he had about two years at Middlesbrough, was doing a bit of punditry, then got the Man United job. They gave him it.
"I don't feel sorry for Michael Carrick. He's been managing one of the biggest clubs in the world on the back of basically not really doing a lot. He's got them in the Champions League, he's done really well, but he was never at the calibre of managers in the Premier League - the managers in the Premier League are the best in the world and he's just not quite at that level."
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United has collected just eight points from their opening 10 games of the campaign, leaving the Red Devils in a precarious position.
Liverpool will be hoping United show the same poor form at Anfield that has plagued them elsewhere this season. However, the potential for a new manager bounce could present an added challenge for Andoni Iraola and his coaching staff.