Jamie Carragher has explained why he has “sympathy” for Manchester United fans - and has compared Liverpool’s transfer strategy to that of the Old Trafford club.
The Reds legend has been looking ahead to the Premier League meeting between the two clubs on Monday night. Liverpool go to Old Trafford seeking their first win of the campaign.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have drawn their opening two league matches this season. United have lost both of their first two league fixtures against Brighton and Brentford, and Carragher has expressed his “sympathy” for the club’s fans.
READ MORE: Gabby Agbonlahor bites back at Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool boss slammed pundit
READ MORE: Liverpool set to sign vital new contract behind the scenes as long-term plan unfolds
Carragher compared United’s current situation with the club’s owners, the Glazer family, to that of the Hicks and Gillett era at Liverpool.
“As strange as it might sound, I have genuine sympathy for Manchester United supporters,” Carragher wrote in his column for The Telegraph . “Liverpool fans have been in this same position, protesting against owners they do not want, and we know how it feels.
“United supporters must feel like they are banging their heads against a brick wall, because they have made themselves clear and nothing ever seems to change. They have made protests, they have formed another club in FC United of Manchester, and their collective anger has even caused a Premier League match to be postponed.
“I was there in May last year, when United supporters broke onto the pitch at Old Trafford in protest against the Glazer family’s ownership and forced the game against Liverpool to be rearranged. I supported those fans then, and I still support their cause now because I understand their feelings. Football is massively important in the lives of so many people, and these fans are looking at the Glazers and seeing owners who do not love or care for their club.”
Carragher went on to look at Liverpool and Man United’s approach to transfers. The former Reds defender looked at FSG’s strategy when looking to sign new players.
“Contrast United’s approach in the transfer market with the strategy at Liverpool, their opponents on Monday night,” Carragher said.
“There are Liverpool fans screaming from the rooftops at the moment, saying they need to sign a new midfielder, but the club’s decision-makers have consistently shown they are prepared to wait for the right player and the right moment, despite the external pressure.
“Under FSG’s ownership, and thanks to their ‘Moneyball’ methods, Liverpool have been able to avoid so many of the problems that are now affecting United.
“FSG have not been afraid of making changes in personnel to get where they wanted, and they have also invested heavily in both the stadium and the new training ground. It is not simply about having the richest owners, but having owners with vision and decisiveness.
“You have to be patient and do things properly. Liverpool trust in the plans they have put in place, and that is what most top clubs are doing.
“When you look at United, it reminds you of a team in the bottom three of the Premier League, frantically trying to make a few late signings in the January transfer window. Top clubs should never be panicking like this.
“To be clear, I have very few complimentary things to say about United’s current squad of players, as I don’t think many of them have the required character or personality to play for the club. But it is evident that their struggles are part of a wider problem, stretching back years.
“As detailed by the respected financial analyst Swiss Ramble this week, United are the only Premier League club to pay dividends to their shareholders. Since 2016 they have paid out an average of £22 million per year. As Swiss Ramble writes: “In the last 10 years, no owners in the Premier League have taken out more money than the Glazers have done at United.”
“It is obvious that the Glazers do not care. Their friends in America must look at them and think ‘wow, what a great business you have there.’ To those people, United must be regarded as little more than a sports club, somewhere over in England, from which the Glazers take millions every year.
“I was playing for Liverpool when the supporters did so much to force Tom Hicks and George Gillett out of the club. The fans were relentless and it made a genuine difference. United fans are now planning more protests against the Glazers on Monday, and that is no surprise to me.”
READ NEXT:
- Jurgen Klopp sparks heated row on talkSPORT after 'personal attack' on Gabby Agbonlahor
- Pep Guardiola gives sarcastic answer to Liverpool question after Man City's perfect start
- 'What I can see' - Erik ten Hag confirms Cristiano Ronaldo 'plans' for Liverpool
- Jurgen Klopp reveals how Darwin Nunez reacted in private talks over Liverpool red card
- 'Ripped to shreds' - Chris Sutton and Paul Merson disagree over Liverpool and Man United prediction
