Roy Keane changes mind on Michael Carrick with new Man Utd job verdict | Football | Sport

Roy Keane has switched his own stance on Michael Carrick, now backing the interim head coach to be given the role permanently at Manchester United, following an encouraging start in the hot seat.

The 44-year-old was thrust into the position mid-season to guide the club through the remainder of the campaign after Ruben Amorim’s sudden sacking. With the Premier League standings still fluid, there’s a genuine belief that European qualification remains achievable, should Carrick steer the side effectively.

Initial performances are promising, with strong showings and results against Manchester City and Arsenal hinting at further potential. While the jury remains out on exactly what can be accomplished in the season’s remaining games, Keane appears to have shifted his stance on the caretaker manager after merely two games.

On the latest Stick To Football, he said: “I hope they give it [the permanent job] to him. I hope they give it to him in the summer.”

Gary Neville challenged this, interjecting: “You said the other day, Roy…” seemingly preparing to highlight Keane’s previous opposition to the idea. Keane cut across him, stating: “I don’t think it’s the right decision, good luck with it.

“Yeah, but, I’m sticking to my guns. I’ve said my piece, I think that he’s got the job, and then if he gets it in the summer then you go; ‘Listen, good luck to him’, but 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, whatever it might be.

“I think you can get a better manager than Carrick, absolutely. But I think he’s doing a good job, perfect timing for him, and even if he doesn’t get the United job, these results a bit like Ruud [Van Nistelrooy], he can get another job, probably another Premiership manager.

“But just cause you’re doing well at United, it doesn’t mean he’ll do well at another club. He’s got the players back, it’s all been sliding doors moments. Great for him, and he’s took advantage of it.”

While that doesn’t represent a complete reversal from Keane – who remains sceptical about the appointment overall – it does mark a shift in his stance regarding whether Carrick should be given the role permanently. The 54-year-old has been outspoken about United’s interim management situation, previously causing a stir when he took a swipe at Carrick’s wife during an earlier podcast episode.

That appeared to reignite tensions, though the interim head coach has kept his attention firmly fixed on matters at Old Trafford. Despite potentially needing some persuasion, triumphs over both Man City and Arsenal certainly bolster Carrick’s credentials for securing the permanent manager’s position.

It’s not merely about the scores either – the displays have showcased an impressive blend of resolute grit alongside attacking sharpness. While some may feel it’s premature to assess the former midfielder based on such limited evidence, the upcoming clash with Fulham this weekend should provide greater insight into his side’s genuine capabilities.

Carrick remains grounded, though, and is unlikely to be drawn into speculation about his long-term prospects in the dugout. “I think it’s more about the feeling that this gives us, really, as a group,” he reflected following the weekend’s triumph over Arsenal.

“And the players and as a club, and certainly the supporters. That’s my concern – how that can bring us together and lift us, in a real positive manner. I’m not getting all carried away, we’ve got some bigger games coming up, because the next game is always the bigger game.

“So we’re not getting carried away. We’ve got really important things coming up and we need to keep improving. Two massive games, there’s a lot of emotion, a lot of energy and a lot of confidence you can take but we’ve got to be humble and understand how we’ve got these results. That’s really important moving forward.”