Javier Hernandez has called out his former Manchester United team-mates Roy Keane, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes for their criticism of Michael Carrick, who has transformed the club's fortunes as head coach.
Carrick's Remarkable Turnaround
Carrick, appointed interim head coach in January, secured a third-place Premier League finish and Champions League qualification, a feat that seemed unlikely under his predecessor Ruben Amorim. The 45-year-old has since been named permanent head coach for the 2026/27 campaign.
Despite the club's satisfaction and fan approval, Carrick has faced criticism from former team-mates, including Keane's personal jibes, Scholes' social media dig after a loss to Newcastle, and Neville's doubts about his credentials.
Hernandez's Defense
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Hernandez expressed his support: "I love it, I love it." When Ferdinand noted the criticism from their former team-mates, Hernandez said: "I don't know why. I really don't know why. There's a fine line between criticising someone's job, because you have to, and then your own opinions."
Hernandez added: "I'm very surprised, mostly because you know Carrick more than I do. You spent so much time with him, not only as a teammate at the club but also with the national team. Carrick was always a man who never had a problem with anyone. The most civilised, calm person. So I don't understand. How are you going to criticise a manager who is giving you results?"
Hernandez's United Exit
Hernandez also reflected on his 2015 departure, saying the club had changed after Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill left in 2013. "It was very hard. Because if you gave me the chance to stay at United for most of my career, I would have taken it. The team that I played the most games for, even more than my hometown team in Mexico, is United. I would have taken a bullet for that team. It's my team, Manchester United."
He continued: "But things weren't the same. It's not that I left the club that I was with; I left a different environment. It wasn't the same club. With the departure, obviously, of Sir Alex Ferguson, but also David Gill and all that family structure. When I say family, it doesn't mean that it was all nice, but there were values. I was very sad. Don't get me wrong. I would have retired at United and I would take a bullet for that team. But it wasn't the same team as the team that embraced me and gave me my first opportunity."
