United Must Break Free From Ferguson's Shadow, Says Deeney as Carrick Takes Interim Role

Troy Deeney believes Manchester United need to stop genuflecting to Sir Alex Ferguson and chart their own course, particularly with Michael Carrick now at the helm on a temporary basis.

The former Premier League forward has taken aim at the club's continued deference to the Old Trafford legend, who stepped away from management almost 13 years ago yet apparently retains considerable sway over boardroom decisions. Ferguson's backing proved decisive when United were weighing up Carrick against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the interim post, according to widespread reports.

United dispensed with Ruben Amorim last week following a fractious 14-month spell that ended in acrimony with director of football Jason Wilcox. Darren Fletcher initially stepped in for a pair of matches before Carrick's appointment this week, with the club committed to finding a permanent successor come summer.

Deeney's frustration centres on the disconnect between Ferguson's ceremonial status and his apparent operational influence. Speaking to The Sun, the pundit drew a pointed contrast with Arsenal's handling of Arsène Wenger: "When Arsenal wanted to move away from Arsene Wenger, what did they do? He vanished. The Frenchman can come back whenever he wants. But he is out of the picture at the Emirates. There is no lingering shadow, he does not have a say in what goes on under Mikel Arteta."

He continued: "Ferguson is the greatest manager of all time. But what on Earth are United figures doing bowing to him constantly. And, of course, every time United hit another branch on the way down, the camera pans to their legend looking on disapprovingly from the directors' box."

The criticism extends to the very notion that Fletcher felt compelled to seek Ferguson's blessing. "Darren Fletcher had no need to ask Fergie's blessing to take the job," Deeney argued. "Ferguson doesn't work there, has nothing to do with the day-to-day running of the club. It's like me asking my mum before writing this column. Pointless."

Beyond the Ferguson question, Deeney identified a deeper structural malaise at United, pointing to the departure of Dan Ashworth after just five months as sporting director. The club needs someone willing to fundamentally overhaul its operations, he suggested, rather than tinkering around the edges with figures like Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada.

"United desperately need an Ashworth to go in, tear their structure to pieces and build something functional," Deeney said. "But no. Because he doesn't agree with Wilcox and Berrada we'll get rid of him and go with the two numpties who don't know what they're doing."

The managerial carousel itself tells a sorry tale: Erik ten Hag was sacked despite receiving a new contract and lavish investment following an FA Cup triumph, followed by Amorim's brief tenure, and now Carrick's emergency appointment. Yet Deeney reserved particular skepticism for the latest interim solution. "Carrick — who, despite being a former United player, with a fine career has done little to deserve this gig," he concluded.