The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) have hit out at the club’s owners after Michael Carrick’s sacking marked another “depressing moment” at Old Trafford.

Carrick was relieved of his duties on Thursday morning, with United sitting 18th in the Premier League table after one win from their opening 10 matches.

It is expected that Mauricio Pochettino will be appointed as his replacement, though the timing of that has been complicated slightly by it being an international break and the USA preparing for two important Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti.

Confirmation of Carrick’s sacking came after United CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox flew to Monaco on Wednesday to meet with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The MUST paid tribute to Carrick, who won five Premier League titles with United as a player, as the group instead took aim at Ratcliffe and the club’s majority owners, the Glazers.

“Michael Carrick’s departure marks another depressing moment for Manchester United,” an MUST statement read.

“We thank him for his service and for restoring hope during the second half of last season. His standing among supporters remains undiminished.

Anger: Manchester United fans have continued to protest against the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe

AFP/Getty

“The reason Manchester United fans have continued to support Michael Carrick in recent weeks is that they know that responsibility for United’s problems do not primarily rest with him or indeed his predecessors as manager.

“They lie with the ownership. The Glazers’ debt-funded takeover continues to burden the club. When INEOS came in they promised sporting excellence, but yet with repeated changes in football leadership we have seen anything but.”

The United fans had continued to stick with Carrick, even as results collapsed in recent weeks.

After the 3-0 defeat at home by Bournemouth last month, the Stretford End sung Carrick’s name as he made his way off the pitch.

As soon as he entered the tunnel, the mood shifted and there were loud boos for the players in front of that stand.

It has added to the unhappy feeling at United, in the stands and in the dressing room. Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised Wilcox and the club’s summer recruitment after United were beaten by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, before Bruno Fernandes questioned Carrick’s tactics in another explosive interview after the thrashing by Como.

“The earlier Stretford End banner declaring, ‘The way you treat us is a disgrace’ was a warning,” the MUST continued in their criticism of ownership.

“The unprecedented scale of the booing at Old Trafford, alongside public criticism from senior players in recent weeks, now points to a deeper deterioration.

“These are signs of a club becoming more divided, with the bond between supporters, players and those running Manchester United under increasing strain.”

No senior figures at United put their name to the official statement confirming Carrick’s sacking.

The MUST urged United executives to put greater emphasis on accountability to help improve the relationship between fans and those running the club.

“The owners must allow senior club management to change direction: show accountability, rebuild trust, listen to supporters and recognise that their loyalty is fundamental to football success,” the group said.

“Another change of head coach cannot repair what the ownership continues to undermine.”