Former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s ownership, describing the club’s stewardship as “rotten” and questioning whether a stronger football regulator should intervene.
Speaking exclusively to BestBettingSites, Heskey blamed the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe for United’s decline, arguing that the problems at Old Trafford extend beyond head coach Michael Carrick amid growing uncertainty over his future.
The biggest institute a rotten place
“Probably not, if I’m honest with you,” Heskey said when asked whether any big-club owners were worse than United’s.
“It’s rotten at Manchester United and that stems from the top down. What I want to know is how one of the biggest institutes in world football was allowed to get to such a rotten place?
“Surely this is where you need a strong regulator who monitors club ownership.”
United’s crisis has intensified following Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth, with club executives reportedly discussing Carrick’s position on Monday.
The team have struggled for results this season, increasing scrutiny of the club’s wider leadership.
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Overall structure the problem
Heskey believes the club’s decline reflects a deeper structural problem, pointing to how United once enjoyed a global standing alongside Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“The Glazers and Jim Ratcliffe have taken Manchester United to a place where it’s just sad to see,” he added.
He also questioned whether changing managers would make any meaningful difference without improvements at boardroom level.
“No, I think it doesn’t matter who manages Man United, to be honest with you, with this ownership group and executives running the club.”
Carrick lacking the authority for change
However, Heskey acknowledged that Carrick may have lost the dressing room, suggesting the former United midfielder lacks the authority needed to manage the current squad.
“You need a change because of respect – you need a manager who commands respect, and I think Carrick has lost that with that group of players,” he said.
Heskey also criticised Ratcliffe’s approach, arguing that football requires different expertise from other business investments.
“Football is totally different from any other business investment,” he said. “You can’t just keep throwing money at it and expect it to work overnight.”
Man United’s ownership and leadership now face mounting pressure to address the club’s continued decline.
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