Man United's Old Trafford
Michael Carrick is not the problem at Manchester United, the Glazers are the reason for their decline.
That's the view of talkSPORT's Ally McCoist, who listed in order which aspects of the club are responsible for the woeful start to the season - and the head coach does not sit top.
3Carrick is staying as United head coach amid ongoing pressure, but McCoist thinks he is the least of their worriesCredit: Getty
Carrick looked set to be sacked by United after their 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, but it's understood that he will be given more time to turn things around.
It means Carrick will take charge of the team for their weekend trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, live on talkSPORT.
United fans were vocal in their support for the ex-midfielder at the full-time whistle against Bournemouth on Sunday, and their cheers then turned to boos as the players exited the pitch.
The club have not won the Premier League since the 2012/13 season and look set to extend their wait for another title to 14 years.
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However, although Carrick has only two wins and six defeats from 12, McCoist insisted that he is not the sole reason for their shortcomings.
Who is to blame at United?
On talkSPORT Breakfast, he explained: "Manchester United's problem isn't Michael Carrick, let's be brutally honest.
"Should he shoulder some of the responsibility and the blame for some of the poor performances? Yes, of course, absolutely, it's the manager's coach's job to get results."
McCoist then revealed his order of problems at the club: "Owners, hierarchy, players, and then coach or manager."
Earlier on, host Jeff Stelling read a message from a United supporter that stressed a change of ownership is needed and there must be a focus on getting them out of the club.
"But how are you going to do that?" Stelling asked in response. "For the Glazers, this is a cash cow. There is no way they will walk away from this football club, is there?"
3McCoist has pointed to the Glazers as the main reason for United's problems, with the hierarchy following behind in secondCredit: Getty Images - Getty
McCoist agreed that the Glazer family, who have been custodians for 21 years and spent a reported £1.2billion on debt interest, repayments, dividends and fees, will be difficult to remove at United.
"What is it going to take, and how on earth can the Manchester United supporters look forward to the day when the Glazers aren't at the club?" he asked.
"It seems miles away. For me, that is the root of the problem... the club is kind of rotting from the core a little bit at this moment in time, I really feel it is.
"Until there's a change in that order... Michael Carrick is not the biggest problem, nothing can be further from the truth."
"The Glazers don't care, they're thousands of miles away so, whatever we say, whatever Andy (Goldstein, Drive host and United fan) says, whatever the fans say, they don't care!" Stelling replied.
"All they can see is that, financially, they are benefiting from Manchester United.
United fans have passionately protested against the Glazers and their ownership as United continue to underwhelm on the pitchCredit: GettyUnited fans have passionately protested against the Glazers and their ownership as United continue to underwhelm on the pitchCredit: Getty
3United fans have passionately protested against the Glazers and their ownership as United continue to underwhelm on the pitchCredit: Getty
"I've seen people say boycott games, boycott merchandise, and maybe that would hurt the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
"But Manchester United have such a huge fanbase, they'll still fill the stadium, of course they will!"