Et tu Brute? The Shakespearean tragedy of the modern Manchester United

However, the role of Brutus fits perfectly for Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, whose overdue sacking of Carrick on Thursday after a difficult week for the Old Trafford club was one final act of betrayal and, as far as United supporters are concerned, one final act of self-preservation that they are permitted to execute while employed by the club.  

Carrick was the man whose contribution as coach covered up the lack of a plan by carrying the club to the Champions League against all reasonable expectations last season. He was the man who didn’t publicly complain even though he was given a squad that was ill-equipped to deal with the season in front of him. He was the man who insisted he was happy with the squad; who insisted there were fine margins between his side succeeding and failing as the form dropped off a cliff; who protected his players by recalling them into the team after most strong clubs would have been much harsher; who listened to the vitriolic anger flood down the stands towards the directors and still acted as an umbrella, facing the press, never once allowing the club to become submerged by controversy.