Cause for concern: United’s problems go way beyond who they hire as manager – opinion

Manchester United fans are feeling optimistic about the club’s future after their 3-2 win over Liverpool at the weekend which confirmed their qualification for next season’s edition of the Champions League. Michael Carrick has defied all expectations as an interim manager and while there may be a few doubts lingering here or there, most supporters would agree giving him the job is the right call. Giving the position to someone else now is just as risky as leaving it in Carrick’s hands, though he will need to be better supported by the decision-makers at the club. There is one notable matter that’s come up from all of the circus surrounding his potential long-term appointment that should concern fans, and that is Sir Jim Ratcliffe, or at least what has been reported on him.   …. The Athletic previously revealed Carrick’s personality didn’t align with what Ratcliffe would typically go for as he’s normally drawn to more alpha type characters. Recently, more reports have come out claiming the former midfielder’s calm and composed demeanour won the co-owner over. Whatever the case may be about Sir Jim’s feelings towards Carrick, the trouble is, it shouldn’t matter and we shouldn’t know about it, let alone read constant briefings in the news. The owners of any club’s job should just be financial support and having a say in the appointment of a CEO. From there, everything else should be left to the CEO and the rest of the senior leadership team.   …. What’s the point in hiring all the experts and apparent best in class staff members if in the end Ratcliffe, with no experience or expertise in football, has a veto or a say in the decision of the managerial appointment. If it’s true that he does, then things are no different to the Glazers’ so-called leadership of United. Leave the experts to make the decision and if they fail, you can sack them and bring in other people who make the right call. Don’t go on an ego trip and think you can make the decision or be involved in the finer details in this kind of way.   …. A good CEO and director of football would get these calls right, otherwise why hire them if you’re concerned to this extent? United might hire Carrick and enjoy plenty of success but if he has these conditions hanging over his head, the success will be in spite of the circumstances and not because of the circumstances. It’s probably because of these conditions that Thomas Tuchel previously turned United down and why Luis Enrique seems to have no real interest in joining either. Elite managers who want to avoid the mess that is Old Trafford. One day we’ll have the right people making the right decisions but my god has it been a painful process to get there. Featured image by Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social