Keith Wyness: Man United senior duo are ‘clowns’ and this is why
Champions League football could be the saviour to Man United’s increasing financial problems.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes Man United could be in a “real mess” if they do not qualify for the Champions League this season.
Michael Carrick has been appointed Man United manager until the end of the season, with the club on the periphery of the Champions League places.
Man United have been told they need Champions League revenue, with the club not in European competition this season and in over £1billion worth of debt.
Man United could be ‘bailed out’ by Michael Carrick
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have got “lucky” with the appointment of Carrick.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has “sympathy” for the Man United fanbase over the running of the club.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Can they really put more debt on now? I think they’re reaching the point, as I’ve said, that if Carrick was to get them into the Champions League, he would be saving Ratcliffe and INEOS.
“And I think the solution was always internal within Man United and its old players. And so this is going to be the solution, but this is not going to be one that INEOS can take credit for. Or they shouldn’t anyway, because it’s the old players bailing them out of the mess they’ve made. So do I think he’s been a bit of a clown?
“I’ve said it repeatedly, yes, I tend to agree with those fans that INEOS, Dave Brailsford and that group have made a mess of this particular investment in this situation. So I have a lot of sympathy with the fans for coming to that conclusion.
“However, I do believe for once now they’re going to get something back on track. And it’s funny, when teams are winning, the criticism goes away. So he may just get lucky here with Michael Carrick and he better be hoping that that starts to happen, because otherwise if things don’t go well for Carrick they’re in a real mess.”
Carrick makes positive first impression
Carrick got off to the perfect start as manager as Man United beat Man City 2-0 to boost their Champions League hopes.
The 44-year-old may only be offered the job on a permanent basis if the Red Devils make the Premier League top four this season.
Another big test awaits Carrick with a trip to league leaders Arsenal next, with the north London side 15 points above Man United in the table.