Roy Keane has outlined Michael Carrick’s biggest challenge should he get the Manchester United job beyond this season.
Michael Carrick has made a strong case to remain Manchester United’s head coach beyond this season, after being appointed temporarily in January, just two weeks after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.
United beat Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday to ensure they will be competing in Europe’s biggest competition next season.
While many former United players have sided with the idea of Carrick remaining at Old Trafford, former club captain Roy Keane has not been as convinced.
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Roy Keane worries about Michael Carrick
Regardless of what side of the fence you are on as a United fan when it comes to Carrick getting the job, nobody can deny that the 44-year-old has done remarkably well in terms of results.
The prospect of qualifying for the Champions League was remote when Carrick arrived in January. Now, with three Premier League games left to play, it’s set in stone.
Carrick was discussed on the latest Stick to Football podcast, when Keane expressed further concerns about him and made it clear he doesn’t think the former England international is the right man for United.
Keane outlined several challenges Carrick will face at United, including ‘the biggest’, in his opinion.
Keane said: “I can see where they’re coming from. Absolutely. But I’m not going to sit down and think Carrick’s going to get Man United competing in the top next two or three years. I don’t see it.
“But I’d love to be proven wrong. Yeah, give him a chance to become a great coach at Man United. But he’s been at United a long time, though, right? There must have an idea. Again, he’s been with Mourinho. He’s been with Ole. He’s not managed. They must have an idea if people in the building go, no, he’s got something about him.
“Would it be his calmness? I think that’s good sometimes. Sometimes we want a manager with emotion. We’ve seen Simone last night, that’s his kind of trade. I praised Eddie Howe before for his calmness.
“More maybe off-the-field stuff, working with people above you. Because that’s the biggest challenge of any manager, working with people above you. Has Carrick got that to work with Wilcox and all this? Is he too soft? Recruitment, will he be in charge of all of that? Next year, being in the Champions League. That becomes a challenge.”
Keane may not be an advocate for Carrick, but he makes a valid point about Carrick facing a challenge working with Jason Wilcox and other members of United’s hierarchy.
But couldn’t the same be said for any coach after Erik ten Hag and Amorim?
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Champions League is a challenge Michael Carrick will welcome
Keane says being in the Champions League becomes a challenge after the team secured qualification on Sunday.
Of course, it will be, but it’s a challenge everyone at United – including Carrick – wants to be part of.
Since January, Carrick has shown that he is capable of overcoming many challenges in the hot seat at Old Trafford.
He will want to continue that journey next season.
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