Jamie Carragher issues statement after Aston Villa threaten legal action

Carragher issued an apology the day after Villa’s threat (Picture: Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher has issued an apology for his ‘clumsy language’ that prompted Aston Villa to threaten legal action against the Liverpool legend.

The former defender this week suggested Villa boss Unai Emery would be interested in taking the reins at Manchester United should Michael Carrick depart Old Trafford.

Carrick’s position has come under significant threat this season with Emery among United’s list of managerial targets should a change be made in the dugout.

The topic was discussed on this week’s ‘Stick to Football’ with Carragher praising the work Emery has done during his four years at Villa Park.

The former England defender also referred to ‘the chain in football’, explaining players and managers will always consider moving onto bigger challenges.

‘Aston Villa will never be Manchester United. I just think he didn’t do well at PSG or Arsenal, and maybe that’s because of egos in the dressing room and that sort of thing,’ Carragher told Stick to Football.

‘But surely he would want that opportunity to manage a giant again. There is a chain in football, whether you like it or not.

Emery’s work at Villa has been universally praised (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

‘So Real Madrid will take Manchester United’s best player, they did it with [Cristiano] Ronaldo. And there will be teams below Aston Villa, and they’ll take their players or manager, so shut the f**k up Aston Villa fans. Aston Villa will never be Manchester United.’

On Friday evening Villa released a statement on social media, signed by chairman Nassef Sawiris, accusing Carragher of insulting the club and its supporters, warning they will ‘initiate legal action.’

Carragher has now issued his own statement, insisting his comments were’tongue in cheek.’