Jamie Carragher believes he may have discovered a reason why Manchester United have stopped dominating the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
The Scot walked away from football back in the summer of 2013, bringing an end to a remarkable managerial career that saw his United side dominate on the domestic front for many years.
But Carragher has hinted that getting in the ear of referees during matches was a key factor behind their success - and couldn’t resist asking Gary Neville the question.
Speaking on The Football Show on Sky Sports, the Liverpool icon asked Neville: “Do you think the reason Man United have dropped off Gary, is because Ferguson isn’t into referees now? I’m deadly serious.”
Neville quickly replied, saying: “I think that is libel actually! You are suggesting that Manchester United won championships through basically influencing or buying referees?”
With Carragher responding: “Well how do you go from first to falling off a cliff to seventh or eighth now you haven’t got the manager who is intimidating referees?”
It is not the first time Carragher has hinted that United and the personality of Ferguson put pressure on officials in the Premier League.
Speaking back in January, the former defender claimed United have never dominated European football like Liverpool have because they couldn’t influence referees on the continent.
“This is a thing when talking about European Cups and Champions League finals,” he told Sky Sports.
“Why have Manchester United never dominated in Europe? It is because you don’t have influence over referees like you did in England under Ferguson.
“100 percent. If you think of the great clubs in Europe they had an era of domination. AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“Why not you? Because the influence on referees does not go from the Premier League (to Europe).”
