Manchester United Hierarchy Dysfunction Exposed by Carrick Sacking 2026

Manchester United's hierarchy dysfunction has been laid bare by the sacking of Michael Carrick, the latest fall guy in a chaotic decision-making process that has left fans and analysts bewildered. The club's football operations, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and a revolving door of executives, appear disjointed and illogical, raising serious questions about the direction of one of the world's biggest football clubs.

The Eddie Howe Saga: A Window into Chaos

Consider the case of Eddie Howe, initially a favorite to succeed the 45-year-old Carrick before Mauricio Pochettino emerged as the chosen one. The former Newcastle manager had been Jason Wilcox's choice to take over from Carrick, according to reports. Howe was also the favored candidate of Dan Ashworth, Wilcox's predecessor as United's director of football, to follow Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman's sacking in October 2024.

Except Wilcox disagreed, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe went with Wilcox's man, Ruben Amorim. That December, Ashworth departed just five months after joining. At that juncture, Wilcox was the technical director. Now he is United's highest-ranking football executive, the powerbroker.

Wilcox was able, apparently with a straight face, to recommend to Ratcliffe that Howe, nearly two years after he rejected him, should become United's eighth permanent No 1 in the 13 and a half years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. If following this is difficult, making sense of it is near impossible.

Key Takeaways from the Carrick Sacking

• Michael Carrick was sacked as Manchester United manager, becoming the latest casualty of the club's dysfunctional hierarchy.
• Jason Wilcox, now the club's top football executive, had previously rejected Eddie Howe as a candidate, only to later recommend him.
• Dan Ashworth left his role as director of football after just five months, highlighting the instability at the executive level.
• Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decision-making has been criticized as illogical and disjointed, with multiple conflicting voices in the football department.
• The club has cycled through eight permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, underscoring a lack of long-term planning.

The Executive Merry-Go-Round

Should London's West End need a new farce, then look no further than the wacky world of Ratcliffe and the football department he leads. The operation is also headed up by Omar Berrada, the chief executive, and is proving a disjointed, illogical operation. The constant shuffling of executives and conflicting visions has created an environment where managers are set up to fail.

Carrick's sacking is just the latest example. He was tasked with steering a ship that was already taking on water, with a squad assembled by previous regimes and a boardroom that couldn't agree on a direction. The former midfielder, a legend as a player, was given little chance to succeed.

What This Means for Manchester United's Future

The dysfunction at the top has a direct impact on the pitch. Players are uncertain about the club's direction, recruitment is inconsistent, and managers are undermined by conflicting messages from above. Until the hierarchy is streamlined and a clear football strategy is implemented, United will continue to lurch from one crisis to another.

For a broader look at how instability affects sporting organizations, see our analysis of the NRL hierarchy shake-up, where top clubs have also faced upheaval.

Lessons from Other Sports

The problems at Manchester United are not unique to football. In rugby league, the NRL hierarchy shake-up has shown how quickly fortunes can change when leadership is in flux. Clubs that fail to adapt risk falling behind their rivals.

Similarly, in the corporate world, dysfunctional hierarchies often lead to poor performance and employee dissatisfaction. United's situation is a case study in how not to run a sports organization.

FAQ

What to Watch Next

All eyes will be on Ratcliffe and his team to see who they appoint next and whether they can finally bring some coherence to the football department. The upcoming transfer window will be a crucial test of their ability to work together.

For those interested in how leadership changes impact organizations, the NRL hierarchy shake-up offers a fascinating parallel. The top four fall in 2026 season demonstrates that even established powers are not immune to the effects of poor management.

As the NRL hierarchy shake-up continues to unfold, Manchester United would do well to take note. The 2026 season has shown that stability and clear leadership are essential for success.

Ultimately, the NRL hierarchy shake-up serves as a reminder that no club is too big to fail. Manchester United must learn from these examples and address their own hierarchy issues before it's too late.