'This is the lowest ebb since I became a Manchester United supporter in 1965 - but I still would not sack the manager'
A life-long Manchester United supporter has told the News Letter that the club is currently in its worst state since he began supporting them in the 1960s.
But platinum season ticket holder Eamon Atkinson, now 78, said that he still would not ditch manager Michael Carrick.
The secretary of the Craigavon Manchester United Supporters’ Club was speaking after the team’s 4-1 Champions League drubbing at the hands of Como, who are currently fifth in Italy’s Serie A on Wednesday.
Seven games into the season, Man United rank 13th in the Premier League, and the last time they won was eight matches ago... against the less-than-formidable Azerbaijani team Sabah.
Last season they finished in third place, some 14 points behind league winners Arsenal.
The season before it was 15th place, some 42 points behind league winners Liverpool.
Mr Atkinson said that the team’s decline over the years has been “unbelieveable” and that right now they are playing worse than when they were relegated in 1974.
He said the problem is bigger than the manager, and pointed to the club’s recent signings and at what he sees as its focus on corporate deals over on-pitch quality (aiming blame in particular at director of football Jason Wilcox and owner Jim Ratcliffe).
He attended his first match at Old Trafford at age 16 on March 13, 1965 (a 4-0 win over Chelsea), and asked if this is “the lowest ebb” since then, he said: “Absolutely. Absolutely.
"Even back in ‘74 when we were relegated, we were offering something.
"This doesn’t just quantify at all.”
He also told the News Letter: “There doesn’t seem to be the spirit in the team that there was back in the day – it just seems to have gone.
"It just seems to be a set of individuals playing at the minute.
"I feel sorry for the fans that went out there to watch that.
"We’re not looking forward to the games with any hope any more.
"We’re lucky to score a goal.
"This season we’ve lost with a two-goal lead at home, and we’ve been unable to beat a couple of teams down to 10 men.
"It’s been building up to this type of thing.
"It’s no surprise to me, to be honest.”
Should the club now dispose of Carrick, a legendary former player who has been at the helm for 29 matches?
"That’s a hard one,” said Mr Atkinson.
"You just can’t keep sacking managers all the time.
"I wouldn’t be in favour of sacking him just at the minute.
"I’d give him a little bit of time, and I’d give him more support, more money.”
This is not a view universally held.
A post online from John White, founder of Carryduff Manchester United Supporters Club, said: “I have never disguised my opinion that Michael Carrick was the wrong appointment as Manchester United manager.
"I held that view from the very moment he was given the job.”
The performance in Como has not “persuaded me otherwise – quite the opposite”.
"The time has come for Michael Carrick to consider his position,” he said.
"Step aside with dignity, preserve the affection United supporters have for you, and allow the club to begin searching for the leadership it so desperately needs.”