Manchester United Icon Patrice Evra Advocates for Luis Enrique as Next Manager
Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has made a compelling case for Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique to be appointed as the next permanent boss of the Red Devils. The club is actively searching for a long-term manager this summer following Michael Carrick's interim appointment earlier this year, which came after Ruben Amorim's departure.
Evra's Strong Endorsement of Enrique
Speaking exclusively to Stake, Evra expressed his admiration for the Spanish tactician, stating emphatically that Enrique would represent a dream appointment for Manchester United. 'I'm not talking to the Man United board or Sir Jim Ratcliffe,' Evra clarified, 'but in my honest opinion, with no disrespect to PSG or Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Luis Enrique would be a dream coach for Man United.'
Evra elaborated on his reasoning, highlighting both personal and professional attributes. 'I love the man, I love his philosophy, what he went through in his personal life and overcame it shows his personality,' he said. The Frenchman particularly praised Enrique's remarkable achievement of guiding PSG to their first Champions League title last season, accomplishing this historic treble without superstar forwards Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, or Neymar.
'The job he's done at PSG by bringing them a Champions League without those iconic players is a fantastic achievement,' Evra emphasized. He believes Enrique's demanding tactical approach would perfectly suit Manchester United, noting that 'players would have to work really hard to play for Man United, they'll have to run a lot and I think Enrique would bring that.'
Defending Interim Manager Michael Carrick
While strongly advocating for Enrique, Evra also defended current interim manager Michael Carrick, who has impressed during his temporary tenure and appears likely to secure Champions League qualification for the club. The former midfielder, who played alongside Carrick at United, argued that his former teammate deserves serious consideration for the permanent role.
'I don't think we should write off Michael Carrick,' Evra stated. 'He's done a great job and we need to give him an opportunity. People want an amazing manager for Man United, but right now, we need someone who understands the club and the players.'
Evra acknowledged Enrique's superior tactical credentials while maintaining Carrick's suitability, saying 'Enrique is a genius tactician and great with players, but I think Carrick deserves a chance.'
Criticism of Former Teammates' Commentary
The Manchester United legend also launched a withering critique of several former teammates who have been publicly critical of Carrick's managerial performance. Evra specifically named Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, and Roy Keane, questioning their qualifications to judge given their own managerial shortcomings.
This criticism comes after Scholes recently described United as 'c**p' under Carrick's leadership, with all three pundits suggesting the interim boss should not receive the permanent position. Evra, who won five Premier League titles during his eight-year stint at Old Trafford from 2006 to 2014, challenged their credibility.
'I hope Paul Scholes' Instagram story is fake, I hope he was hacked,' Evra remarked pointedly. 'To be honest, I'm not surprised at that from Scholesy. He was the quietest player I've ever played with in my entire career. Now, in the media, he drops bombshells.'
Evra expressed frustration with what he perceives as unnecessary negativity from former players turned pundits. 'There's been negative analysis from Scholesy, but also from Roy Keane and Gary Neville,' he noted. 'It annoys me because we want to be in the top four, and those comments are unnecessary, but this is what you do when you work in TV. You can't be positive, you have to be negative.'
Questioning Pundits' Managerial Credentials
The former French international directly challenged the managerial records of his critics, reminding them of their own failures in coaching roles. 'Most of these guys get a managerial job and get fired straightaway,' Evra asserted. He recalled telling Neville specifically: 'It's easy to talk on TV. When you were at Valencia, they asked you for paella, and you gave them fish and chips.'
Evra highlighted Neville's brief and unsuccessful tenure at Valencia, where he was dismissed after just three months. 'After three months, they said goodbye,' Evra reminded. 'People can't forget what they have done as a manager. As players, they're legends, but as managers, they haven't done a great job.'
The former defender concluded with a pointed criticism of their commentary's potential impact: 'So for them to speak and possibly kill the career of a manager, it's a little bit too much.'
As Manchester United's search for a permanent manager continues, Evra's dual endorsement of both Enrique and Carrick, coupled with his robust defense of the interim boss against criticism from club legends, adds significant perspective to the ongoing debate about the club's future direction.
