“What I can say is…”: Michael Carrick breaks silence on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial comments

Michael Carrick has been speaking to the press ahead of Monday evening’s Premier League clash with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Ratcliffe comments The first question was from Simon Stone of the BBC. Stone asked Carrick about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent controversial comments about immigration. “Yeah, I think that Sir Jim has made a statement and the club has made a statement on the back of it, really. So for me to add to that is not my place to add to that,” the boss answered. “I think enough has been said in that regard. I think what I can say is I’ve been around this club many, many years and I think we always make a huge impact globally in whatever way. And we’re really responsible for that. And, you know, throughout the years as a player, as a member of staff, as a supporter, I think we’re really proud of the environment and the culture that we’ve got at the club. And equality and diversity and respect for each other is something that we look to carry through every day. And I’ve travelled the world and I know what this club means to an awful lot of people. So fully aware of the responsibility and we’re trying to carry that out every single day.” Stone persisted, saying “Isn’t there a possibility that Sir Jim’s comments undermine that you were part of a multicultural squad? Sir Alex Ferguson made a point of emphasising the different backgrounds in that squad and said it was one of the reasons why you were so successful. You’re now in charge of a squad with players from all kinds of different backgrounds, both from England and overseas. Have you had to speak to them? And are Sir Jim’s comments possibly undermining unity and what you are trying to achieve?” Carrick answered: “We’ve got a really strong group, whether that’s the players in and around the dressing room and the staff and certainly around the club and outside of the club, but certainly within the club, I think we’re in constant communication anyway. We’re here to support each other and help each other in whatever way we can.” “So the boys have been in really good spirits this week in terms of training. We’ve had some time away, so I think that was important for a refreshing bit of a deep breath of everything, you know, for the short time we’ve kind of been together to digest everything and then come back and focus on what’s next. So we’re looking forward to the next game at this stage. But yeah, obviously we’re here to help each other, support each other in any way we possibly can.” The presser is ongoing, please refresh regularly for updates. Featured image Carl Recine 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 Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.