Aston Villa have announced plans to take legal action against Jamie Carragher after the former Liverpool defender claimed the club would never be as big as Manchester United.
Villa released a statement signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris accusing the Sky Sports pundit of making “unacceptable insults” towards the club and its supporters.
The dispute began after Carragher suggested Villa manager Unai Emery could be tempted to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United, with the Red Devils enduring a difficult start to the season.
The statement, signed by Sawiris, accused Carragher of disrespecting Villa and their supporters.
The club also insisted they would “not allow anyone to stop our ascension in English and European football”.
The controversy followed Carragher’s appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, where he argued that Emery could be interested in taking charge at Old Trafford.
“Surely he would want that opportunity to manage a giant again,” Carragher said.
“There is a chain in football, whether you like it or not.”
The former England defender then compared the relationship between Villa and United to the way Real Madrid have previously signed players from the Manchester club.
“So Real Madrid will take Manchester United’s best player, they did it with [Cristiano] Ronaldo.”
Carragher went on to tell Villa supporters to “shut the f**k up”, before adding: “Aston Villa will never be Manchester United.”
Carragher responds to Villa backlash over Emery comments
Carragher has since defended his remarks, insisting his message to Villa fans was intended as a joke following criticism he had received for suggesting Emery could join United.
Speaking on the Overlap Daily, Carragher explained why he believed United should consider approaching Emery.
“I just think Unai Emery is the best manager in the league and if you’re Man Utd you’re thinking ‘what’s the best we can get?’,” he said.
“I’m not saying he’ll go – I’m just saying if it was me I’d ask the question.
“I think your own ego if someone said ‘that’s your level’ would say ‘no I’m not’. That was my point. It’s grown arms and legs.”
You Should Also Read
