Keane and Neville in agreement on Carrick getting Man Utd job | Football | Sport
Michael Carrick has enjoyed an excellent stint as Manchester United’s interim manager (Image: Getty)
Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane both said last night that they expect Michael Carrick will be made the club’s permanent manager. Carrick suffered his second defeat as interim manager in 11 Premier League matches with a 2-1 defeat to rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford. Victory would have made Champions League qualification near certain but United are still in a strong position.
United were seventh and three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool when Carrick took the interim job. Despite losing to Leeds, United – now third – still have a three-point cushion over their Merseyside rivals. The Red Devils still have to welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford next month. Their form since Carrick replaced Amorim has sparked increasing support for the former Middlesbrough head coach to be installed as United’s next permanent boss. Only a month ago, Keane remained unconvinced by Carrick. But both he and his former team-mate Neville now think it is increasingly likely the ex-midfielder will get the gig.
Speaking before the game, Neville said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football: “There were a number of candidates that presented, probably two or three months ago, that maybe aren’t on the table anymore. They’ve renewed their contracts in jobs. I think they still should be pursuing a world-class manager, someone who is best in class.
“If Manchester United can get someone who has won Champions Leagues on a regular basis or who has won titles in their own country on a regular basis, they should still pursue that route. But I have to say the more the candidates dwindle away, the more Michael gets towards third place, there are more advantages of keeping him.
“What you can’t do is take a chance in swapping him for a manager you’re not sure about. It would have to be a surefire certainty. It was interesting in his press conference. He was asked about whether he was part of recruitment meetings and planning for next season and Michael said yes he was.
“That’s good that he answered honestly. But I’d be a little bit worried if he wasn’t, he’s seeing the players every day. He’s trusted by the club. It will be getting to a point whereby there’s been so much unrest at Man United off the pitch in the last 12 to 18 months… I think 400 members of staff have left.
“There’s a massive amount of turbulence. What Michael’s doing right now, not just winning football matches which is critical, he’s settling the club down off the pitch as well which will be important. If you’re an owner and the rest of the club trust the manager, like the manager and feel he has a good way about him, that will count as they move towards the end of the season.
“I think it’s getting to a point where it’s pretty inevitable they’re going to appoint Michael Carrick. I just hold out for if a Luis Enrique or someone of that ilk was to become available, that United would make that decision and bring them in.
Gary Neville and Roy Keane both think Michael Carrick will get the Man Utd job (Image: Sky Sports)
Michael Carrick reacts during Man Utd’s loss to Leeds (Image: Getty)
“World-class managers, who have been there before, United need to get back to winning titles and Champions Leagues. Managers who have done that before have obviously got a better chance.”
While his Sky Sports colleague Keane reflected: “It’s a nice problem to have. I fully expected when he got the job to win some football matches. They couldn’t have been as bad as they were. Going back to last season, finishing 15th.
“He had a dream start, City and Arsenal, winning them. He had the disappointment of the Newcastle game and even the last game, the 2-2 at Bournemouth. If he can finish the season strongly, which it looks like they can do, and obviously they’ve Chelsea next week and if they can beat Liverpool.
“Emotionally that will get fans on side. It’s going to make it very difficult. I’m sure United are speaking to prospects out there, potential other managers. At the moment he is in the driving seat. I can certainly see him getting the job.
“Then the real tests will start in the summer, getting recruitment and competing in terms of games where there’s jeopardy. The last month or two I think it’s almost been easy for him, I really do. He’s just focusing on winning football matches.
“The challenge will come, if he gets the job, with recruitment, managing the club and tougher games. He’ll be properly judged next year if he is the permanent manager at United.”
