R o d - M c C a i n ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Manchester United need to be freed of the yoke of the Glazers. That’s obvious. Been saying it since 2005. But how? It’s difficult to force regime change. A few United fans suggesting they’d welcome relegation as it would make the Glazers consider selling up. It might make them more likely to hold on as a PL club worth far more than EFL. A few fans suggesting a boycott of games - but why should loyal fans stop watching their team? And the club could simply get tourists in if a few games missed. A boycott of the megastore and catering is obvious (and already done by some fans) but that would also hit staff and temporary workers. Chants and banners make a point to the world how reviled the absentee Glazers are. But probably won’t worry the distant Glazers. They can point to money invested in transfers (and spent badly) but it’s not their personal money. It’s money generated by the fans. United have some very influential fans’ groups, fanzines, forums and pods. Would lobbying the Independent Football Regulator about whether the Glazers are “fit and proper owners” (in old parlance) have any effect? At the very least, there is a strong case for lobbying the IFR and Government about updating legislation to preclude debt-based takeovers (the IFR has an advisory role to Parliament). It’s certainly a national embarrassment that the most high-profile representative of the national sport has such substantial debt and such deeply unpopular owners associated with it. Sadly, like a stubborn stain, the Glazers will take some shifting. #MUFC

Manchester United fans defiant. Manchester United players defeatist. One day, United players will take responsibility, and will play with the commitment of their fans. Carlos Baleba, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez failed to react for Chelsea’s first. Martinez so unprofessional for Chelsea’s second goal, elbow, second yellow, pen, shocking behaviour. Michael Carrick has his flaws but he’s been let down by his players. United fans have been let down by their players. United can change the head coach but they have to change many of the players, recruiting stronger characters. Players who take responsibility, who care for the club. #CHEMUN #MUFC

So Michael Carrick stays for now, according to reports. Good – because he cares deeply about the Club and, whatever his limitations as a manager, Carrick is not the real problem at United. The problem patently lies in recruitment/ownership. Recruitment needs addressing with a clear-out and proper investment in players with the right character as well as the right ability (and in the right positions, starting with defence). But the concerns are obvious. Will the players who doubt him raise their game? What will happen if they surrender again, this time at Chelsea? Will Bruno Fernandes start or remain captain? Is it also simply a case of the club playing for time while they pursue potential successors? It seems an uneasy truce, a temporary ceasefire. Let's hope the players, whatever they think of Carrick, look in the mirror, realise they are very much part of the problem, take responsibility and fight for the cause. United players owe it to the fans. #MUFC