In his role as a television pundit, Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has expressed bewilderment over Roy Keane’s opposition to Michael Carrick taking on the permanent role of head coach at Old Trafford. In what has been a sparkling start, Carrick stepped in as interim head coach following the departure of Ruben Amorim and immediately guided Manchester United to four consecutive wins. This winning streak has propelled the Red Devils to fourth in the Premier League standings, boosting their hopes of securing a Champions League qualification spot.
Despite Carrick’s impressive start at the helm, there’s uncertainty over his long-term future, with no assurances that he will be in the running for the permanent role once the decision is made at the season’s end. Keane, a fellow United legend, recently downplayed Carrick’s prospects of landing the position, citing the availability of “bigger and better” managers.
However, Ferdinand has rebuffed Keane’s scepticism, questioning why his former teammate would be so dismissive of Carrick’s potential. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said, “There are risks with any appointment. Regardless of how well Michael Carrick performs, any decision carries risk. Yet the same is true for every name under consideration.”
“Opportunities are rare in life,” Ferdinand continued, “and when someone steps up and excels—like Carrick has with four wins on the trot it seems odd to reject them outright. Roy’s stance puzzles me; I can’t fathom how anyone could be so opposed.”
Roy Keane has slightly moderated his stance on a recent appearance of The Overlap, conceding he hopes Carrick does well. After being reminded of his earlier comments by Gary Neville, Keane maintained, “I’ve said my piece. I don’t think it’s the right decision, but good luck to him. Managing Manchester United as an interim is one thing; winning league titles over several years is another.”
Keane asserted, “Better managers than Carrick are certainly available. He’s done well so far, and even if he doesn’t secure the United job, his performance could open doors elsewhere, potentially at another Premier League club. Yet success at United doesn’t guarantee success elsewhere.”
He further stated, “Carrick’s revival of the team has been timely and that he’s seized his moment brilliantly.”