Rio Ferdinand verbally dismantles Man United board for statement confirming Michael Carrick sacking

Rio Ferdinand unloaded on former club Manchester United after hearing the statement released announcing the sacking of Michael Carrick.

As expected, following a 10-game winless run that has seen the Red Devils fall into the relegation zone in the Premier League, Carrick was relieved of his duties on Thursday morning.

Appointed as permanent manager in May following a successful interim run which included a third place finish and Champions League football, Carrick's United took just eight points from their opening 10 Premier League fixtures this season.

Initially given three games to turn things around, Carrick's fate was sealed following talks between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, the Glazer family and other key figures.

Rio Ferdinand slams Man United's 'vanilla' Michael Carrick statement

In an official statement which came after strong rumours from several outlets, United said: "Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men's first-team head coach.

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"Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.

"After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.

"Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.

"The club intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible."

But while the statement paid tribute to Carrick for the work he has done as a player and a manager, and was considerably longer that what was written about both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, former United defender Ferdinand took issue with it - branding it "generic", "vanilla" and something that had been created as a result of using ChatGPT.

Speaking on his 'Rio Reacts' livestream, the 48-year-old fumed: "ChatGPT. Put it into ChatGPT and that's what it spat out. It's one of those generic, vanilla, clinical statements. That's what I've been piping on about for two weeks. If and when this happens, such a situation comes, there needs to be a face to the statement.

"All these statements that get thrown out... fans don't even care. Don't put the statement out, fans know it's rubbish. Bit of AI has kicked it out, thanks very much. Do you mean it? If you have someone sitting and talking, it humanises the statement. You can put someone to it. That's what we want and need in situations like this. This is an emotional time for anyone who loves the football club."

Mauricio Pochettino in the frame to take Manchester United job

A number of names have been linked with the United job but former Spurs, Chelsea and Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is widely expected to replace Carrick.

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Pochettino was earmarked as the top target for the vacancy by United's sporting leadership, Ratcliffe and the Glazer family, according to Ben Jacobs.

The Argentine is poised to be in the dugout as United boss for the first time on Sunday 22 November, when they take on Liverpool at Anfield.

Before then, he still has two games in charge of the United States national team, who play Haiti twice just days apart in the Concacaf Nations League quarter finals.

Pochettino has a £7 million release clause in USMNT contract, signed after guiding the team to the World Cup quarter-finals on home soil.