Roy Keane does not believe Manchester United should give Michael Carrick the job as head coach on a permanent basis even if he guides them back into the Champions League.
Twelve days on since Carrick was appointed until the end of the season, he has masterminded back-to-back wins against title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal.
But despite United showing plenty of positive signs since Carrick took charge, Keane remains unconvinced that he’s the job for the long term.
‘You’re being silly now,’ Keane told Sky Sports, prompted by Micah Richards suggesting Carrick is the best bet to be the long-term successor to Ruben Amorim.
‘Two great performances but anyone can win two games.
‘Even if they do get into fourth, I still wouldn’t be convinced he’s the man for the job. Absolutely not.
‘They need a bigger and better manager. But he has got the opportunity and what a chance for him, and you know what, he’s taking it.’
Roy Keane (right) does not feel Michael Carrick (left) is best for Man United in the long term
Keane has made no secret of his disdain at the appointment of Carrick until the end of the season, questioning both the choice of coach as well as his backroom staff.
‘(I’m) concerned, concerned with the appointment and the staff that have come in, the manager. But I think I would be like that with most people at this stage of the season,’ Keane said ahead of the win over City.
‘Looking at the group of players they have, it’s going to be a big ask. You look at Michael Carrick, whatever his remit was at Middlesbrough it was probably to get promoted, he didn’t do that. He failed there, but it doesn’t mean to say he’s a bad manager. It was a difficult job.
‘To get this opportunity, obviously it’s great for him but I look at the staff he’s brought in. We sit and talk about Manchester United every week being the best of the best, and at this moment in time I don’t see that. But even with the appointment and the staff, it doesn’t mean they can’t get results.
‘It’s a great opportunity for him and his staff but of course I’m concerned. I felt that about the previous manager.’
Carrick is uninterested in Keane’s barbs and publicly played down any suggestion of being in any way affected by comments from the former United captain.
Instead, he is doing his prospects of getting the job on a full-time basis no harm whatsoever with two thoroughly impressive displays against the league’s top two.
‘Michael [Carrick] has come in, and he’s been brilliant with us,’ Man of the Match Harry Maguire said after the win at Arsenal.
Matheus Cunha scored the winning goal on another fantastic display under Carrick’s guidance
‘He’s brought fresh energy, and the group has really galvanised. Obviously, two tough games [City and Arsenal], everyone probably thought we would come away from them with not many points, but we won both of them.’
On the Arsenal win, Keane said: ‘They played with more freedom and came to win the game. To get that momentum and to score a brilliant goal like that off the bench, it shows a good attitude and mindset.
‘They will be growing in confidence. They are playing with a lot more freedom. There is a full group, there are no more distractions and can focus on league form. They are producing.’
