Five winners and three losers as Man Utd sack Michael Carrick

Manchester United have officially sacked Michael Carrick, and there are both winners and losers from the decision.

The worst-kept secret in football is out: Michael Carrick has been sacked by Manchester United after a worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to replace Carrick in the dugout imminently, but before that, the sacking must be broken down. So here are the winners and losers from the decision.

Winners

Firstly, the winners.

**Ineos: **Like it or not, one of the biggest winners from Carrick’s sacking is, in fact, those who have made the decision to replace him. Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada have had to sit through protests and chants directed at them, quite rightfully, which might change slightly with the arrival of Pochettino.

Carrick was so beloved that fans refused to turn on him with all the anger taken out on those above; that won’t be the case with Pochettino. If things go wrong at United with Poch, fans may be more inclined to turn on him, given he isn’t a club legend, and therefore it might take some of the abuse away from the board level.

Poch could be a big success, but Ineos will know that if he isn’t, they won’t have to endure the full load of the criticism again. Although United supporters should remember this and stay committed to getting change at the board level.

**Harry Amass: **This season, Harry Amass hasn’t really had a look in for United, despite Luke Shaw’s injury problems, with Diogo Dalot instead shoe-horned into an unnatural position.

Amass is bursting with talent and ready to go; Pochettino will be ready to turn him into a Premier League left-back in the same way he did with Ian Maatsen and Luke Shaw.

Carrick spoke a lot about trusting the youth, but ultimately, actions speak louder, and his actions didn’t exactly inspire confidence that he is the best man to handle the talents coming through.

Shea Lacey: Another youngster who will be a winner is Shea Lacey. Despite getting his first goal and first assist for United this season under Carrick, the winger simply isn’t being used enough.

Lacey should be starting games over the underperforming Amad, but he hasn’t and has been an unused substitute far too often.

Perhaps being braver and trusting Lacey and other academy players might have saved Carrick to a degree.

Bruno Fernandes: This season, United haven’t seen the best from Bruno Fernandes as he has been on the wing at times and has vocally slammed Carrick for tactical decisions.

Therefore, a fresh start will suit Fernandes and could be what it takes to revitalise the midfielder and likely also get him back in a more familiar system where he is the number 10.

Whether he was right or wrong in his actions, United need Fernandes right now to get back up the table and make this season less of a disaster.

**Michael Carrick: **The treatment of Carrick was appalling, and he deserved much more from the club. However, it was ultimately the right decision to part ways.

The job took a toll on Carrick, and it was hard to see him so upset after defeats and after his team was booed off. It should have happened sooner, but now Carrick can rest and get out of the spotlight.

He will always be a legend and will be the first to celebrate if Pochettino gets things right.

Losers

And onto the losers…

Kobbie Mainoo: While he should still shine under Pochettino, Mainoo will have Carrick to thank for reviving his career from where he was under Ruben Amorim.

Mainoo will have loved learning under Carrick and will absolutely miss him as his coach. However, Pochettino will likely continue the good work done.

Whatever happens, Carrick did wonders for Mainoo and deserves recognition for this.

Leny Yoro: A perhaps surprising loser is Leny Yoro because he had finally started to find some form and consistency in a United shirt under Carrick.

Now there will be another period of uncertainty for United and Yoro, although he might end up being loved by Pochettino, but like with Mainoo, Carrick is the man who gave Yoro the base from which to launch.

Harry Maguire: The final loser from the sacking is Harry Maguire, who found a new importance under Carrick and has been undroppable. But assuming Pochettino wants a forward-thinking style of play, Maguire doesn’t fit.

Maguire has been a liability this season for United, and Pochettino should recognise this and drop him, likely for Leny Yoro.

Pochettino should usher in the new era for United, and that is without Maguire.