Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has revealed why he has made a dramatic U-turn on Michael Carrick becoming the next permanent manager at Manchester United.
Ineos are set to appoint the seventh permanent head coach at the Premier League club in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at some point this summer.
The permanent Manchester United manager role has been vacant since January after former Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim was dismissed.
Michael Carrick was brought back to Old Trafford in January and Ineos installed the United legend as interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
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Gary Neville’s stance has shifted on Michael Carrick’s long-term future at Man Utd
Michael Carrick has spearheaded Manchester United’s run to third place in the Premier League table after he took his place in the Old Trafford hot seat.
The former Man Utd and England midfielder has overseen 10 Premier League wins from 14 matches in the 2025-26 season after he replaced Ruben Amorim.
Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Gary Neville admitted that he was 100 per cent convinced that Carrick should not be appointed permanently.
“I was 100 per cent [that] Michael should not get the job before he was appointed,” he said.
“I was 100 per cent when he was appointed.”
When he was asked where he stood now, Neville explained that he had shifted to a 50-50 stance on Carrick remaining at Old Trafford as Amorim’s permanent successor.
“I was 100 per cent Michael should not get the job,” he continued.
“I’ve been adamant all the way through. I am 50-50 right now.”
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Gary Neville’s preferred option for the Man Utd head coach role ahead of Michael Carrick
The Red Devils punched their ticket back to the Champions League last Sunday after Man Utd defeated rivals Liverpool in a 3-2 Premier League win at Old Trafford.
Speaking after Man Utd’s victory over Liverpool, Neville claimed that the Red Devils should be on the hunt for a “world-class manager” in the post-Amorim era.
“But, if a world-class manager became available [who] has won titles, Manchester United should probably pursue that route because the last five managers have not had that super club experience,” he said on Sky Sports.
“Michael would be another who has not quite got that.”
Man Utd are third in the Premier League table ahead of their visit to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
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