Carrick sends Keane and Neville message over ‘shutting them out’
Michael Carrick has received criticism from the likes of Roy Keane since he was appointed as Manchester United’s interim head coach – but he has now responded
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has claimed he is not ‘bothered’ about criticism and opinions from the likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville. Carrick, 44, has enjoyed a fine start to life back at Old Trafford after replacing Ruben Amorim as the club’s head coach until the end of the season.
Indeed, the ex-United midfielder has won four and drawn one of his five matches in charge so far, a run of form that has seen the Red Devils move up to fourth in the Premier League table, just five points behind third-place Aston Villa. But Carrick, upon taking the job at United, was criticised by Keane – with the Sky Sports pundit questioning his credentials. Keane said last month that he was “concerned” about Carrick’s appointment and claimed the Red Devils are a “circus act at the moment”.
Now, speaking to the BBC, Carrick made it clear he is unfazed by criticism from Keane and other pundits. When asked if he has to ‘accept’ and ‘shut out’ the outside noise, Carrick replied: “It doesn’t bother me one bit. Genuinely, it doesn’t. I’m not going to really fall out with anyone over that.
“I think it’s a respect thing as much as anything and I’ll give and take that. I think for younger players in general it’s something we need to help them with and look after them. It’s a different world now to when, say, I was coming through, but we do that and we look after them.”
Carrick is in the frame to land the permanent role at United in the summer, like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did seven years ago. The Red Devils are considering other options, including Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto De Zerbi, with Thomas Tuchel set to stay as the England manager until at least 2028.
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Carrick is in the frame to land the permanent role at United in the summer, like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did seven years ago. The Red Devils are considering other options, including Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto De Zerbi, with Thomas Tuchel set to stay as the England manager until at least 2028.
And Carrick, who made more than 450 appearances in his time as a player at Old Trafford, has suggested he is dreaming of becoming the next full-time United head coach, branding it as the “ultimate role”.
“For me, it’s the ultimate role,” he said. “I’m really enjoying it, I love what I’m doing. I’m fortunate. I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it’s not the fact that I believe I can do it and I’m here to do it.
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“I said it when I came in – there’s the sentimental side of that… of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing.
“But, actually, I’m here to do a job now and to make a good team and be successful. I don’t decide how long that’s going to be, but I love being here and while I’m here, I’ll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That’s how I believe it should be.”
United head to Everton on Monday in their next Premier League outing. The Red Devils lost the reverse fixture 1-0 in November through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s first-half strike.
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