Neville: Carrick's Future Hinges on Glazer Decision

Gary Neville told listeners on the Stick to Football podcast that Manchester United managers sometimes require dismissal for their own benefit. The former captain made the comment as the club continued to retain Michael Carrick despite a difficult stretch in the Premier League.

Carrick, 45, remains in charge after United suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday. The loss left the team just one point above the relegation zone in the English top flight. United have won only two of their 12 matches across all competitions this season. Their seven points from eight league games mark their worst start to a campaign in 40 years.

Neville described the internal debate at Old Trafford as chaotic. He suggested the hierarchy debated Carrick's status for 24 hours before deciding to keep him. Neville attributed the hesitation to a lack of planning and limited available options for replacement.

The former teammate of Carrick compared the situation to his own experience at Valencia. He said he was happy when his club ended his tenure, noting that a manager may need to be let go to escape a difficult situation. Neville did not name specific candidates for the United job, though Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann have been mentioned as potential successors in recent speculation.

Supporters at the Bournemouth match reacted differently to the manager and the players. Fans applauded Carrick as he left the pitch, while a chorus of boos greeted the squad. The reception suggests the crowd views the ownership structure as the primary source of the team's current issues.

Neville directed his criticism at the Glazer family, who have held majority control of the club since 2005. He noted that the family sold a minority stake to Jim Ratcliffe in 2024 but retained majority ownership. Neville called on the Glazers to sell the entire club, citing 1.2 billion pounds in debt and a 13-year period without a Premier League title.

Carrick is scheduled to hold a pre-match news conference on Thursday before United travels to Chelsea for Saturday's league fixture.