'I was sacked by Sir Jim Ratcliffe – this is what it was like working for Man Utd chief'

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A football legend who worked for Sir Jim Ratcliffe has had his say on working for the Manchester United minority owner

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is preparing to wield the managerial axe again at Manchester United. Michael Carrick is set to become the third boss sacked by the minority owner since his INEOS group took charge of football operations at Old Trafford almost three years ago.

Ratcliffe's hopes that he could sweep into his boyhood club and revive their fortunes have fallen flat, with United fans directing their ire at him - and the Glazers - during the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, which looks set to spell the end of Carrick's time in charge.

United aren't Ratcliffe's only football interests, as INEOS own French side Nice and FC Lausanne-Sport of Switzerland. One of his most high-profile managers at Nice was Arsenal legend and France World Cup winner Patrick Vieira, who managed the Ligue 1 side between June 2018 and December 2020.

Vieira was sacked following a run of five consecutive defeats with Nice 11th in the table. Despite that, he was subsequently complimentary of Ratcliffe's approach, telling FourFourTwo: "He'd never interfere with my work. We'd talk about football when we met, about the team and our lives, but he's not an owner who will get involved too much and prevent the manager from doing his job.

> "His ambitions and expectations are high, so you know where you stand, but you can do your job freely."

Despite that hands-off approach, it appears patience is in short supply, given Nice are on their eighth manager since Vieira's sacking less than six years ago. Olivier Pantaloni, appointed in the summer, is currently at the helm and could be on dodgy ground, with Nice currently 10th in the table after eight games.

However, the next INEOS sacking is set to be Carrick, who looked like he was saying goodbye to fans who chanted his name following the Bournemouth defeat. Asked if he expected to be in charge for Saturday's game at Chelsea, he said: "I take the responsibility, I've said that, I accept the responsibility

> "Whatever is going to happen results-wise, whether we win, we lose, draw. Whatever happens through the whole football club, I'm in this position because I respect the position that I'm in, and the responsibility is mine. What else can I say really right now?"

Pushed on whether he expected to be sacked imminently, he said: "I totally understand the situation. I'm not expecting anything in particular, to be honest. I'm carrying on as normal.

> "I love this place. I'll always do what I feel is going to be the best for the football club, whatever decision is made on anything really, so that's kind of it. You know, I'm not expecting anything either way."

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