In the immediate aftermath of Manchester United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal, a debate that has become ritual at Old Trafford has resurfaced: should the interim manager be given the job permanently?
This time, the man in the spotlight is Michael Carrick, the former midfield linchpin who has masterminded stunning wins over Manchester City and Arsenal in his first two games in charge. Yet, the club’s former captain and most vocal critic, Roy Keane, delivered a characteristically blunt verdict, insisting that regardless of short-term success, Carrick is not the solution.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday coverage, Keane was quick to praise the dramatic improvement in United’s performances. “They’ve got enough quality players and they’ve got momentum into their season,” Keane said, acknowledging the visible boost in confidence and energy under Carrick’s stewardship.
He even noted the victory at the Emirates felt “a bit like the old days,” with United displaying a swagger and calmness that has been absent for much of the season.
However, when pressed by fellow pundit Micah Richards on whether Carrick should now be considered for the permanent role, Keane’s response was unequivocal. “The job? You’re being silly now,” he stated. “No, he’s had two great performances but anybody can win two games”.
Keane’s skepticism is rooted in a broader, more demanding vision for what Manchester United requires to return to the pinnacle of English football. He elaborated that even the most spectacular of interim spells would not alter his opinion.
“If United win every game from now until the end of the season, I still wouldn’t be giving him the job. Absolutely not,” Keane asserted. His central argument is that the scale of the club’s long-term challenge demands a proven, elite-level manager. “I still think they need a bigger and better manager,” he reiterated.
“The size of the club and the challenges they face over the next few years… you want a manager you feel will come in and get Manchester United winning league titles. Are we all going to sit here and think Michael Carrick will get Manchester United winning league titles?”.
This stance finds support from other United legends wary of repeating past mistakes. Gary Neville, while effusive in his praise for Carrick’s immediate impact in restoring the team’s familiar intensity, framed the interim period as a necessary bridge.
He suggested Carrick’s role is to “hold the baton” for the remainder of the season before handing it to a “world-class ilk” like Thomas Tuchel or Carlo Ancelotti. This perspective underscores a caution born from experience, recalling the emotional yet ultimately unsustainable permanent appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjær following his own successful caretaker period.
For his part, Michael Carrick has remained publicly detached from the speculation, focusing solely on the immediate task. “I’m enjoying it. It’s a fantastic position to be in. What happens next I’m not going to be answering it every week,” he said following the win at Arsenal.
His work has been lauded by the players, with defender Harry Maguire crediting the interim boss for bringing a “fresh energy” that has galvanized the squad.
As Manchester United’s hierarchy continues its search for a permanent manager, Roy Keane’s stark commentary serves as a reminder that at one of the world’s biggest clubs, short-term emotion must be weighed against long-term ambition.
The coming months will determine whether Michael Carrick’s audition becomes an irresistible fairytale or if Keane’s call for a “bigger and better” appointment prevails in the Old Trafford boardroom.