By Elena Vasquez

Manchester United’s dismissal of Michael Carrick has taken severance payments to the club’s managers and executives above £100m since the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Carrick became United’s third permanent manager sacked in little over two years and its seventh since Ferguson retired in 2013, according to the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust.

The former United midfielder and Middlesbrough boss paid for what United called a disappointing start to the season, which left the club in the relegation zone heading into the current international break.

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has told owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family: “It is time for the owners to explain themselves and show some accountability.” Mauricio Pochettino is expected to replace Carrick.

Who controls the decision?

Ineos founder Ratcliffe, who invested in his boyhood club nearly three years ago, owns 29% of United and has effective control over football matters. The US-based Glazer family owns 49% of United’s stock but holds 69% of its voting rights.

Public and institutional investors own the remaining 22% of shares, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange. The ownership split places Ratcliffe’s effective football authority alongside the Glazers’ dominant voting position at the centre of United’s succession process.

United said the disappointing start had left it with the difficult conclusion that a change was necessary to achieve its ambitions. It described Carrick as a Manchester United legend, praised his dedication and professionalism during his time back with the club, and said his leadership and achievements last season would be fondly remembered.

United also said it intended to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.

Why do supporters blame the owners?

The Trust described Carrick’s departure as another depressing moment for United, thanked him for his service and for restoring hope during the second half of last season, and said his standing among supporters remained undiminished.

The Trust said supporters continued to support Carrick because they did not place primary responsibility for United’s problems on him or his predecessors. It put responsibility with the ownership instead.

The Trust said the Glazers’ debt-funded takeover continued to burden the club and said Ineos had promised sporting excellence on its arrival, something repeated changes in football leadership had failed to deliver.

What does the succession cost?

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea coach Pochettino is expected to take over after Carrick. His move from the US national team is set to cost $10m (£7m), a sum outside United’s £100m severance total for managers and executives since the Ferguson era.

The £100m figure excludes compensation paid to other clubs and federations to hire their managers, including the $10m Pochettino charge. The distinction means the headline figure measures internal severance rather than United’s full manager-replacement bill.

Pochettino’s expected arrival did not amount to confirmation: United’s statement did not name him, though it promised a permanent appointment as quickly as possible.

Why did the announcement attract criticism?

The decision followed a Wednesday meeting between expatriate Ratcliffe and United’s chiefs. Gary Neville, the club legend turned pundit, branded the delay clumsy and classless and said: “You can’t leave a guy hanging for 24 or 48 hours just because you live in Monaco, that can’t happen.”

United entered the current international break in the relegation zone, while the Trust said Carrick had restored hope during the second half of the previous season. The dismissal leaves Ratcliffe and the Glazers facing a £100m-plus severance bill, seven managerial exits since 2013 and a direct supporter demand for accountability over repeated football leadership changes.