Gary Neville has warned Manchester United against appointing Michael Carrick as permanent manager, even if the interim boss achieves remarkable results before the end of the season. The former United defender spoke on the Stick to Football podcast, insisting that Carrick should not be considered for the role beyond this campaign.
Neville expressed admiration for Carrick, alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy, but cautioned against repeating past mistakes. "They cannot be any consideration that Michael takes the job beyond this season - for Michael and for the club - even if he wins every game," he said, referencing the club's previous transitions with Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The pundit identified Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino as the ideal candidates to lead United. Neville highlighted Ancelotti's experience, composure and Premier League knowledge, calling him a manager who could handle the media, the dressing room and the owners without taking any "nonsense".
Neville argued that United must remove risk from their next appointment. "Who can handle the media? Who can sort the dressing room and not take any s***? Who plays the style of play that United fans will like to watch?" he asked, noting that Ancelotti, Tuchel and Pochettino all possess Champions League and big-club experience. He also mentioned Eddie Howe as a potential candidate with similar attributes.
