Michael Carrick’s time as the head coach of Manchester United is officially over, with confirmation coming on Thursday. In the immediate aftermath, there was a telling silence from the players.

After a week of waiting, Manchester United sacked Michael Carrick with the intention of appointing Mauricio Pochettino as the next permanent head coach.

Rio Ferdinand was annoyed with the sacking of Carrick, explaining he should have been allowed to get through this bump. However, there was a glaring lack of reaction from the players currently in the United squad.

Harry Maguire is the first to break his silence.

Harry Maguire reacts to Michael Carrick’s sacking

United players will have known for days that Carrick was set to be sacked, considering it was the worst-kept secret in football. Yet hours after the sacking, there was radio silence from players.

That was until Maguire broke it with a respectful message to Carrick.

“Will always be a legend. Respect”, Maguire wrote on his Instagram story with a heart emoji. He then added a picture of him and Carrick, followed by another message, “Thank you.”

The dignity, class, and professionalism Carrick showed were recognised by the club in the press release confirming he had been axed, but the club itself and the players haven’t covered themselves in the same glory with how he has been treated.

Maguire is the only one, ahead of a long list that are sure to trickle in over the next few days. But Carrick deserved a more respectful send-off, having protected these players.

Maguire was also first to react to Ruben Amorim’s sacking

Maguire’s professionalism and class are great to see and show the kind of man he is. So much so, he was also the first to offer his sympathies to Ruben Amorim in January when he had been let go.

Maguire reacted to Amorim’s exit on his Instagram story as well, writing, “Thank you for everything, boss. I wish you all the best in the future.”

It shows the importance of Maguire in this squad as a standard setter off the pitch, showing how players should act in order to treat managers with respect.

Maguire won’t be the only one, but let it be known he was first and well in advance of the others, leading the way for his teammates ahead of the arrival of Maguire’s fifth permanent boss at United.