According to pundit Gary Neville, Manchester United’s interim head coach Michael Carrick should not be considered for the permanent position after this season. This view is shared by former United captain Roy Keane, who believes the club must seek out the “best of the best” for the managerial role.
Carrick was appointed to manage the team for the remainder of the season on Tuesday after the departure of Ruben Amorim last week, which followed a brief interim period under Darren Fletcher.
The club’s co-owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Joel Glazer, and Avram Glazer were spotted at the Carrington training complex on Thursday, with their executive meeting relocated to Manchester to show support for the new manager ahead of his first match.
As Carrick readies to face Manchester City on Saturday in a crucial match for Champions League qualification, Neville firmly stated his thoughts on Carrick’s future.
On Stick to Football, he remarked, “I hope he does well. There shouldn’t be any thought of Michael continuing in the role beyond this season, for both his sake and the club’s.”
Neville recognized the potential for a successful run but remained steadfast in his opinion.
“If he wins all his games, we could find ourselves in a situation where the fans are happy and the team is competing for Champions League spots. It’s possible,” he admitted. “However, looking beyond this season, you have to consider other candidates like (Mauricio) Pochettino, (Thomas) Tuchel, and (Carlo) Ancelotti.”
He particularly emphasized Ancelotti’s experience and suitability for the Premier League.
Michael Carrick arriving at Manchester United’s training ground on Wednesday morning (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)
United’s choice to temporarily appoint Carrick, a former Middlesbrough manager, is believed to give director of football Jason Wilcox time to conduct a thorough recruitment process in the coming months.
Former captain Roy Keane joined the conversation, suggesting names like Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid and Luis Enrique from Paris St Germain as potential candidates.
When Neville questioned the feasibility of attracting Enrique, Keane responded, “It’s strange that we’re discussing options and dismissing some candidates. United should be aiming for the very best.”
Keane also provided a candid view on the mentality needed from players and staff at Old Trafford, especially in relation to external pressures.
“I can reel off a list of players from the last 20-30 years who have played for Man United,” he stated.
Roy Keane wants Man United to be bold in their managerial hunt (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Archive)
“Deep down, I might doubt some players’ abilities, but they have managed to cope with the demands of playing for Man United.”
He stressed the importance of facing challenges head-on: “Technically, one might think ‘he’s just fortunate to be at Man United,’ but the reality is to handle the expectations of winning every week—Carrick must embrace that now.”
“Don’t be a prisoner of the past; don’t worry about what others have achieved. This isn’t about previous teams; it’s about this current squad stepping up.”