Michael Carrick has been praised for handling his Man United tenure with dignity – those waiting to have a pop are unfair.talkSPORT understands Carrick is expected to be sacked with the Red Devils 16th in the Premier League.Carrick received incredible support from the Man United fans on SundayGettyIn midweek, Man United were crushed 4-1 by Como in the Champions League before being thrashed 3-0 at home to Bournemouth.Carrick looked emotional at the end of the game as he completed a lap of honour of the Old Trafford pitch.The home fans clapped and applauded their former player before very loudly booing the players, and after an underwhelming transfer window.Carrick will no doubt be scarred by the whole experience at Man United and fears have been raised he might never manage again.Speaking with Sam Matterface and Troy Deeney on the Premier League All Access Podcast, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook said: “Is it the Glazers’ fault? Yes. Ultimately, all of this is the Glazers’ fault, and I don’t deviate from that nor do Manchester United fans.“The matchgoing supporters made their feelings particularly clear towards the hierarchy, and I am not saying Michael Carrick is perfect either. “I do think it is a little bit distasteful the number of people that are almost revelling in Carrick’s downfall.“This is someone who has handled himself with tremendous dignity.“The number of people queuing up to have a pop at Michael Carrick I think is unfair.“I am not sure we’ll see him in the dugout again, I don’t know if he was desperate to go back into management after Middlesbrough.“I think he felt a sense of duty to Manchester United. I think he knew he was on a hiding to nothing, certainly long term.”Man United have won one Premier League game all seasonGettyCarrick’s situationThe Man United legend was appointed as interim manager until the end of the season after Ruben Amorim’s departure.He was in charge for 17 games and won 12 of those losing just two.The victories saw his Man United side beat Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.It meant it was impossible for him not to get the job, and he signed a two-year deal.But in the summer, only three first-team players arrived with defence not significantly strengthened.Performances and results have been poor since, and after the game, Carrick apologised, but he also vowed to fight on.He said: “I had really mixed emotions, I’m feeling it for the players, for my group of players, I’m really feeling it for them because they’re going through a tough spell.“Some of it we can help ourselves, some of it the situation unravels. The boys are feeling at the moment.“Mixed emotions for the supporters to respond in that way, and to have that connection with the supporters in the moment that we’re in, is really mixed emotions.“A little bit of time to digest that, really, but I certainly appreciate their support.“But the situation is where we’re at, we haven’t had results and we haven’t had performances that have been good enough.”Carrick made 464 appearances for Man United in a stellar career at Old TraffordGettyBut he knows his future is out of his hands.“I take the responsibility, of course.“I accept the responsibility. I respect the position I am in. The responsibility is mine. What else can I say right now?“I totally understand the situation. I am not expecting anything in particular, to be honest.“I am carrying on as normal. I love this place. I always do what I feel is best for this football club. Whatever decision is made on anything really, that’s kind of it. I am not expecting anything.”Problems run deeperEven if Carrick goes, Crook doesn’t believe that a replacement would arrive quickly due to the number of issues at the club.To him, all of the candidates would have demands that need to be met.But with the Glazers and INEOS in place, Crook feels the appeal of Man United isn’t what it once was.“So, whoever comes in will have the same pitfalls, and that is why I am not sure it is a case of Carrick being sacked and Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann or Antonio Conte walk through the door.“In all three cases, they will have certain demands because none of them need the job.“Manchester United isn’t necessarily the draw it once was, and I think the board are a mess.“You’ve got certain people pushing for Nagelsmann, others pushing for Howe and all running a mile from Conte.”Next Man Utd ManagerOdds courtesy of talkSPORT BET and subject to change. Correct as of 26/10/26.Eddie Howe – 4/5Julian Nagelsmann – 6/4Antonio Conte – 4/1Fabian Hurzeler – 6/1Unai Emery – 8/1Kieran McKenna – 10/1Carlo Ancelotti – 12/1Keep up to date with all the latest next Manchester United manager odds at talkSPORT BET. 18+ gambleaware.org