Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have said they would rather see Roy Keane manage Manchester United than Julian Nagelsmann, who has been linked with the Old Trafford job if Michael Carrick is dismissed.
Carrick's future uncertain
Carrick is currently being given more time to turn results around, but it is unclear whether he will stay beyond the November international break. Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Eddie Howe are considered the three favourites, while Unai Emery and Cesc Fabregas have also been mentioned as more ambitious targets.
Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football podcast, Butt and Scholes responded positively when Keane's name was raised as a potential candidate. Butt remarked, with a wry smile, "It would be fun," before Scholes laughed and replied "I don't see why not," as reported by the Express.
Keane's coaching history
Keane has not managed since 2019, when he served a seven-month stint as Martin O'Neill's assistant at Nottingham Forest. A recent story from the Sun claimed Keane had been considered for the assistant manager role had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer been reinstated instead of Carrick.
Before Carrick was appointed on an interim basis following Ruben Amorim's dismissal, Solskjaer had been under consideration as a temporary solution. If the Norwegian had returned, Keane might have joined him as his assistant, which would have marked his first coaching position since November 2019.
Support for other candidates
Butt and Scholes were equally positive about Emery and Kieran McKenna, both touted for the Old Trafford hot seat. When Emery's name came up, Scholes remarked "I don't see why not," and gave the same response about McKenna. Butt echoed that view on the latter, noting he "knows the club," referencing McKenna's time as United assistant boss under Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, Ralf Rangnick and during Carrick's first interim tenure.
McKenna also spent nearly two years managing the club's Under-18s before a successful period as Ipswich Town boss between December 2021 and June 2026, securing promotion to the Premier League on two occasions. He left Ipswich at the start of the season after five seasons in charge and has recently been linked with Crystal Palace, who are struggling under Pierre Sage.
