David Hibbert

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will one day have to explain why Manchester United didn’t follow Michael Carrick’s recommendation of the four players he felt the club needed in the summer window – Elliot Anderson, Lewis Hall, Morgan Rogers and, fourth on the list, Mateus Fernandes. Were debt repayments restricting their buying power? Was it simply because United felt the fees were too much for them? In the case of Fernandes, United certainly felt Spurs overpaid for the midfielder from relegated West Ham - £85m for a player West Ham bought from Southampton a year earlier for £38m. But everyone knew the market was inflated and those were the fees being demanded – and commanded – for such young talent, especially in a World Cup summer. Anderson went for £114m, Rogers for £115m. Hall (overlooked for World Cup) could probably have been got for £60m+ before he committed to Newcastle United. Anderson would have transformed United's midfield - certainly more than the £150m spent on Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans. Hall was the obvious choice to fill the problem position of left-back with Luke Shaw injured and 31. There used to be a time when Manchester United would go for “best in class” players, even if that meant chunky fees. Not now. That has to change. Mauricio Pochettino will certainly expect Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox to think bigger in the transfer market - more befitting of a club United's size. Carrick, understanding the challenge United faced in the summer, wanted United to buy properly. They didn't. An indication of the way ahead will be whether Mauricio Pochettino's title is head coach or manager (and driving recruitment like Arteta, Emery). #MUFC

Michael Carrick loses his job but keeps his dignity. The decision is understandable but the way his exit has been handled is a disgrace. #MUFC henrywinterfootball.substack…

Lou Macari is a beacon in the darkness of many lives. He offers help to the homeless, a roof over their heads, and a chance to get back on their feet again. This honour is so well deserved. Many congratulations to Lou. ❤️

It is a sad reflection of modern football that the man who cares most about Manchester United, who will loyally, diligently again go into Carrington today to try and tackle the mess, is the one being eased out by those gathering in Monaco and via a link to Florida who don’t truly have United in their heart. Those who are primarily responsible for the mess. Michael Carrick will leave the club sooner or later but the club will never leave him. United mean too much to him. He gave everything for the team in 464 games. His son plays for their academy. Being United head coach is not simply a job for Carrick, it's an honour he feels deeply proud of. The manager who last season masterminded home wins over Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool and away triumphs at Arsenal, Chelsea and Brighton has undoubtedly made mistakes this season. Diogo Dalot at left-back, not bringing Shea Lacey on earlier, etc. The poor run, and tumble into the relegation positions, inevitably means his job is on the line. It is possible to understand why Carrick should lose his job but also why others should be held accountable, too. The decision on Carrick would be more palatable if it weren’t being formulated and then executed by Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the loathed Glazers. What good have they done to this great club? Debts and decline, holes in the roof and in the squad. Carrick’s contribution to the history of Manchester United is substantial and his legacy secure – winning five titles and taking responsibility for a penalty in the 2008 shootout that helped win the Champions League. At the very least, Carrick deserves to be treated with far more respect than is currently being shown to a dignified, hard-working individual as the clock ticks down on his departure. His exit is being handled appallingly by the club. Red man walking. At least United fans are showing all the class their board lacks. The Stretford End sings Carrick’s name because they know he is not the real problem. It will be no surprise in weeks to come to spot Carrick standing, hood up, with United fans at an away game. They will welcome him warmly. He’s done it before, being a fan again. Carrick loves the club. He has ever since he was an apprentice at West Ham United, charged with keeping the away dressing-room tidy, and admiring how Alex Ferguson and his smartly-dressed collection of winners strode into the Boleyn Ground. They had an aura, and Carrick wanted to be part of that. Carrick will leave the club physically, dismissed as much for the failings of underperforming players, those incompetents in charge of recruitment and the unpopular owners, as for his own undoubted mistakes. But Carrick will never leave United emotionally. It's sad that someone who cares so much will go, and those who don't care as much remain. #MUFC