United’s senior management, including at least one of the Glazers, were at Carrington on Thursday
On Tuesday, Michael Carrick was confirmed as Manchester United’s interim coach until the end of the season, and after holding a first training session with the squad on Wednesday, on Thursday he was visited by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and at least one member of the Glazer family.
So why were they there and what exactly went down?
If there is anything United need at this moment in time, it’s high spirits. Ruben Amorim was sacked after he fell out with the club over tactics and January recruitment, and then called them out in the media. But despite the bad press, Amorim left the club in a very solid position in the table. With half the season played, United were only three points off the top four, contending with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, and even Newcastle, who all finished in the Champions League spots last season.
And this coming from a 15th-place finish last term. Compare that for example with the current position of Tottenham Hotspur, who collapsed dramatically alongside United last season.
Nor did Amorim leave with the dressing room broken. By all accounts, he had the full backing of the players. So, sacking the manager midseason and appointing an interim, there is always a chance of having things fall apart, throwing the season away and finishing outside the European spots.
With 17 Premier League games to go, the club are counting on Carrick to hold things together. Hence the need to show some concerted support.
United’s senior management were due to hold an executive meeting in another location, but they moved it to Carrington so they could speak to Carrick, and possibly see the players, before United face Manchester City on Saturday. Carrick will have only three training sessions with the team before facing Pep Guardiola, whose side are gunning for the title and hoping to narrow down the six-point gap between them and leaders Arsenal.
Either Avram or Joel Glazer is understood to be at Carrington with Ratcliffe. Other members of the executive group include chief executive Omar Berrada and chief financial officer Roger Bell.
