Sometimes managers need sacking for own good – Neville

Former Manchester United midfielder Gary Neville has suggested that managers should sometimes be sacked "for their own good," as he commented on the club's decision to retain under-pressure Michael Carrick. United currently sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone, following a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth.

Carrick, 45, will continue to lead the team ahead of their upcoming match against Chelsea, despite calls for his dismissal. Neville, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, stated that the club's indecision is a product of their limited options and poor decision-making. The former captain added that "sometimes a manager needs sacking for their own good," citing his own dismissal from Valencia as an example.

Managerial battles in football dressing rooms can be brutal, as former Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes recently expressed criticism of Carrick's tactics following a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como. While Fernandes and Carrick have since reconciled, Neville noted that Fernandes' comments represent only a fraction of the discontent within the dressing room.

Carrick received a standing ovation from the fans during the Bournemouth defeat, but the same supporters booed him as he left the tunnel. United's hierarchy have considered replacing Carrick, with ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and former Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann among the potential candidates. However, for now, Carrick remains in charge for the crucial match against Chelsea, along with upcoming fixtures against Roma and Aston Villa.