Michael Carrick issues first statement after Manchester United sacking

Detailed summary

Michael Carrick says he ‘wanted to give something back’ to Manchester United (Shutterstock) Michael Carrick has thanked Manchester United’s players and supporters following his…

Michael Carrick has thanked Manchester United’s players and supporters following his sacking and insists he wants ‘nothing but success’ for the club.

Carrick was sacked by United on Thursday, while Mauricio Pochettino was officially announced as his replacement on Friday afternoon.

The 45-year-old returned to United in January following Ruben Amorim’s departure and joined on an interim deal until the end of last season.

Carrick was then rewarded with a two-year contract in May following United’s impressive end to the Premier League campaign, with no club in the top flight securing more points than the 36 United collected following Carrick’s arrival.

However, United have made a poor start to this season, registering just one win in 10 Premier League games – a run of results which has left the team 18th in the table.

Carrick retained the backing from United’s supporters, who have heavily booed the players during their dismal run of form, but the club’s hierarchy have opted to make a change by bringing in Pochettino.

In his statement which was released on Friday, Carrick wrote: ‘I’ve had the immense privilege of leading Manchester United, the football club that I love.

‘There are very few who get to live that and feel it, and for that I’m incredibly grateful.

‘With that comes huge responsibility, and to be at Manchester United, you need to understand exactly what that means. It’s different to anywhere else.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Metro. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.