Roy Keane has reaffirmed his beliefs that Michael Carrick is not the right man for Manchester United long-term, despite their impressive 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Red Devils boosted their hopes of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification next season thanks to goals from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
The result sees United remain third in the Premier League but move three points clear of fourth-placed Villa, five above fifth-placed Liverpool and six ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea with eight games remaining.
It also strengthened the clamour of Carrick to be appointed as Manchester United’s head coach on a full-time basis beyond this season after guiding his side to seven wins in nine games since his arrival in January.
However, Keane has been firmly against that idea and double-down on it once more during Sky Sports’ post-match analysis on Sunday.
‘I would’ve thought so, yeah [on Manchester United considering giving Michael Carrick the permanent job] but I wouldn’t,’ he said when asked about Carrick’s credentials.
Roy Keane has dismissed the idea of Michael Carrick becoming Man United’s full-time boss
Carrick guided United to their seventh win in nine under him with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa
‘I think there’s better options out there. I think the games where he’s come in and in terms of winning football matches, he’s done a very good job. He’s obviously simplified things but there’s been no jeopardy in those games.
‘They’ve had three weeks to prepare for the matches. It’s been good timing for him to go in there and he’s done a very good job. I take my hat off to him and if he does get the job in the summer I’ll say “Listen, good luck to you,” but I think there are far better options out there for the next manager of Manchester United.
‘If Carrick had been mentioned three months ago to be the next Manchester United manager you’d have been locked up. Everyone would’ve said he’s not even in the reckoning but due to timing, he’s got an opportunity and is doing a very good job.
‘I think there’s better options out there, simple as that but he’s done a very good job. Manchester United are certain to qualify for the Champions League now but in making decisions [on the next manager] they will have to go and interview people and see what’s out there.’
Asked about why he is so hesitant about Carrick being given the full-time job, former United captain Keane highlighted the differences in the job remit he would encounter.
‘Most players do like a caretaker manager. It’s different when he comes in and has to make a decision about contracts, pre-season and medical staff, transfers and recruitment,’ he continued.
‘His job in the last few months has been to win football matches. I know that’s a manager’s job anywhere but he’s not had any distractions even as a manager. Of course he’s done it and I give him credit for that but if he’s given the job then there’s different responsibilities for him.
‘I think to manage Manchester United, you need someone a lot more experienced in terms of winning trophies, competing in Europe and he hasn’t got that. He might have that in a few years, and he might be in the mix then, but the fact he’s winning football matches at the moment of course gives him a great chance.
‘All this chat that everyone loves him, I’m not so sure that was the case when they couldn’t beat Newcastle with 10 men. He beat Aston Villa today – Aston Villa were absolutely shocking. The more I look at Aston Villa, the more I think they’ll be missing out on Europe especially considering how bad they’ve been today.
‘So the timing is good for United. For today’s game Villa are on the back of a European game and United, because they were so bad at the start of the season, have no distractions.
‘And remember this is the same group of players that finished 15th. So everyone else can get giddy about Man United being third in the league but I don’t. I’m not one of them. I don’t get all excited for stuff like that. I get excited when teams are winning trophies and competing week in, week out. So, I’m not one to get too giddy.’
Keane is adamant that there are better managerial candidates out there than Carrick for United
Keane was joined on Sky Sports as a pundit alongside Jamie Redknapp and Ashley Young. And following his strict opinions on Carrick, Redknapp asked the 54-year-old who he believes are the best options to be in the Old Trafford dugout come next season.
‘There’s loads, [Diego] Simeone and [Luis] Enrique,’ he quipped back. ‘You go and try and find the best, [Thomas] Tuchel you have [to Redknapp] just mentioned.
‘If they [the Manchester United board] try and suss all these managers and they come back demanding £25-30million-a-year then I get it but the responsibility of the board is to go out and get the best that’s available to Man United.’
Keane’s viewpoint contrasts significantly with his former United team-mate Wayne Rooney who was effusive in his praise for Carrick and backed him to become the club’s permanent manager.
‘One hundred per cent he should [get the job],’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. I know him very well. I know his character and his personality.
‘It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place. The players needed some love, and he has given them that.
‘We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. Why would you change?’
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is one name that Keane suggested United should go for
Meanwhile, Keane’s ex-United team-mate Wayne Rooney believes Carrick is right for the job
Speaking post-match about his future, Carrick was in his usual steadfast manner about the situation before adding that he has spoken to chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox after the Villa win but his focus is now on Friday night’s trip to Bournemouth.
‘There’s not that much noise, is there?’ he said. ‘I don’t mean Wayne. I just mean in general.
‘It’s only noise if you listen to it. It doesn’t affect me one bit, to be honest.
‘I’m in this position at the moment, doing the best I can, and I’m loving it, obviously.
‘But whatever’s going to happen is going to happen. It’s all pretty calm.
‘We can definitely enjoy the win and look forward to Friday night. But other than that, that’s all I’m thinking about really.’
