“I’m a bit gobsmacked,” says a lifelong Manchester United fan, reacting to the news that Michael Carrick has been sacked as the club’s manager. “I don’t really think it’s his fault,” he adds. “The problem is the manager always gets the blame and it’s the players on the park that are responsible”, says another fan. The 45-year-old — a former United player himself — becomes the latest in a long line of managers to be sacked, with United States national team coach Mauricio Pochettino looking like the favourite to succeed him.
