Michael Carrick says he is ‘not angry’ with Manchester United’s plans and ‘respects’ decision

Manchester United fan groups are planning a protest this Sunday, but Michael Carrick is not upset they are venting their frustrations at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick insists he is “not offended” by protests planned by Manchester United fans ahead of the game against Fulham and vowed it will not affect his players as they aim for three wins from three games under him.

Carrick replaced Reuben Amorim until the end of the season and got off to a strong start. First they beat Manchester City at Old Trafford, then traveled to Arsenal and beat Manchester City in north London. United are firmly aiming to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

There is a good atmosphere around the club, but despite fans’ anger being directed at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the overall ownership structure, they have not changed their minds about holding a protest before Sunday’s game.

United fan group The 1958 expects more than 6,000 supporters to march before the game to protest the Glazers and Ratcliffe, who continue to make unpopular decisions amid growing anger and frustration.

The 1958 group believe that Ratcliffe, the head of football operations, is in bed with the Glazers as their debt continues to rise to £1.1 billion, but Carrick understands they have a right to air their feelings.

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The man in the dugout claimed: “It doesn’t affect the team. I have complete respect for the supporters. They’re great. They’ve been around for a long time, they’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but you know, I’m not mad about that and the players are too. Of course not. The support we have felt inside the stadium, and it has been present in every match I have attended in a long time, is at the highest level and I am sure it will continue to be so.

“The connections we’ve made over the last few weeks have been very special and we’ve both been feeding off of that and I think the supporters didn’t like that.

“We as a group and certainly the players. That’s something we need to continue to build on moving forward because that’s exactly what we wanted. I think we’ve had a good couple of weeks and I think we’re moving in the right direction. We want to continue to build on that.”

There has already been talk of Carrick staying in the job beyond this season, but the original plan was for the club to consider a new permanent manager in the summer. But with 15 games left in the season, Carrick’s performance may become harder to ignore.

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