Norway boss Solbakken blasts Ratcliffe over Carrick sacking: 'Probably not the first mistake'

Norway manager Stale Solbakken has publicly criticised Sir Jim Ratcliffe over Manchester United’s handling of Michael Carrick’s sacking, calling it “probably not the first mistake” made by the United co-owner and his associates.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Norway’s Nations League fixtures against Wales and Denmark, Solbakken was asked about reports that Carrick had continued to turn up at United’s Carrington training ground — taking sessions with players not involved in the international break — while the club was simultaneously in advanced talks to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as his replacement.

“It says a bit about what kind of club man he [Carrick] is,” Solbakken said. “How strongly he is connected to that club and what loyalty he has. If it is true, then it is probably not the first mistake Ratcliffe and co have made.”

United parted ways with Carrick nearly a full week after the 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, a result that ultimately proved decisive despite the team’s subsequent two-goal comeback victory over Roma in the Champions League. The decision to dismiss Carrick was taken by Ratcliffe following a meeting in Monaco with club CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox. Berrada subsequently informed Carrick of the decision in a meeting at Carrington the following Thursday — a day after reports of United’s approach for Pochettino had already become public.

Former United captain Gary Neville was equally scathing in his assessment of the club’s conduct. “In the last 24-48 hours it’s been spectacularly bad,” Neville said. “To be in Monaco as an executive and an owner whilst your manager, who’s a club legend, is taking training on the pitch and simultaneously approaching the US Soccer Federation to approach Mauricio Pochettino — it’s just quite simply disgusting.”

Neville added that the situation fell “well below the standard of what you would expect in any other business” and that the optics of senior figures being abroad while staff managed day-to-day operations in Manchester “reflects badly on the leadership.”

Pochettino has not yet been officially announced as United’s new manager. The Argentine still has international commitments with the United States men’s national team, who face Haiti in a two-legged CONCACAF Nations League tie during the current break.