Roy Keane has articulated a nuanced position regarding Michael Carrick's prospects of securing the permanent managerial role at Manchester United, marking a discernible shift from his earlier, more dismissive comments. The legendary former midfielder now states he "hopes" the club appoints Carrick on a long-term basis, praising his interim work after overseeing impressive victories against Manchester City and Arsenal.
A Softened Stance with Significant Reservations
However, Keane's endorsement is heavily qualified. He maintains that Manchester United could "get a better manager" during the summer and explicitly stated that hiring Carrick permanently would not constitute the "right decision" for the club's long-term ambitions. This complex stance follows Keane's earlier, stark declaration that he would not award Carrick the job even if the caretaker manager won all remaining fifteen Premier League fixtures this season—a hypothetical run that would thrust United into title contention.
Podcast Clarification and Persistent Doubts
Speaking on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, Keane elaborated: "I hope they give it to him. I hope they give it to him in the summer." When fellow pundit Gary Neville interjected to remind him of his previous hardline position, Keane interrupted, clarifying: "I don't think it's the right decision, good luck with it... I'm sticking to my guns. I've said my piece."
He drew a critical distinction between the roles of caretaker and permanent manager, emphasising the vastly different pressures. "As a caretaker manager, it's a different animal to being manager of United trying to win league titles over the next two, three, four, five years," Keane argued. "I think you can get a better manager than Carrick, absolutely. But I think he's doing a good job, perfect timing for him."
Warning Against Premature Euphoria
Keane urged supporters and observers to maintain perspective despite the recent upturn in form. "It's still only two games," he cautioned, referencing the wins over City and Arsenal. "United beat Liverpool earlier in the season. They've found ways to win games of football before... Let's not get carried away."
He pointed out that United conceded two goals in the victory at the Emirates Stadium, suggesting defensive frailties remain. "The attacking play has been excellent, but they gave up two goals at Arsenal," Keane noted, tempering the widespread enthusiasm generated by the team's performances.
Reigniting a Personal Feud
In a controversial aside, Keane reignited a dormant personal dispute by taking a pointed jab at Carrick's wife, Lisa Roughead. On the podcast, he remarked, "His wife can always come in [if Carrick doesn't do well], cause she's got a bit of a big mouth sometimes. She's probably doing the team talk."
This comment references a brief, heated exchange from 2014. Following a Manchester United defeat to Olympiacos, Keane criticised a post-match interview given by Carrick as "flat." An infuriated Roughead took to social media at the time, calling Keane a profanity before deleting the post and attributing it to heightened emotions.
Strategic Shifts and Individual Brilliance
Under Carrick's temporary stewardship, United have climbed to fourth in the Premier League table. A tactical reversion to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bruno Fernandes deployed as a traditional number 10 and Kobbie Mainoo impressing in midfield, has injected excitement into the team's play.
Youngster Patrick Dorgu has been a revelation on the left wing, scoring in both matches under Carrick, including a spectacular strike against Arsenal. This individual and collective improvement led Gary Neville to proclaim on Sky Sports that he felt the "magic has returned" to Old Trafford.
The Final Analysis
Despite the palpable optimism, Keane remains unconvinced about Carrick's ultimate suitability for the top job. "Two great performances but anyone can win two games," he stated bluntly. "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."
Ultimately, Keane's position represents a significant softening but not a complete reversal. He acknowledges Carrick's effective interim management and the opportunity it presents for the coach's career, while steadfastly believing Manchester United's hierarchy should aim higher for a permanent appointment to restore the club to its former glories.
