Manchester United legends came down on Ruben Amorim during his reign at Old Trafford, but Michael Carrick’s stance speaks volumes about the major difference.
Ruben Amorim has been a free agent since January after the 41-year-old former Manchester United manager’s 14-month reign at Old Trafford ended.
The erratic run that the Portuguese coach oversaw at Premier League side United came with its fair share of criticism, including from different Red Devils legends.
Whether it was Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt or Roy Keane and Gary Neville, Amorim’s managerial reign at United was well and truly scrutinised in every aspect.
Michael Carrick now has more wins than Ruben Amorim this season in seven fewer games! What does this tell you…?
Rio Ferdinand shows how different Michael Carrick is compared with former Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim
Michael Carrick has already enjoyed more success than Ruben Amorim did at Old Trafford after the 44-year-old took charge as interim head coach in January.
The Manchester United legend is now on the verge of succeeding former Sporting CP manager Amorim on a permanent basis in the Old Trafford hot seat.
Carrick inherited the Red Devils when they were seventh in the Premier League table and has now led Man Utd to third place in the table in the 2025-26 campaign.
While Amorim didn’t mince his words with United legends, Rio Ferdinand explained why Carrick would not be impacted by the likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
“I’ll tell you one thing, right? Michael Carrick will not give a s— about what Gary Neville or Roy Keane says,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“Like when he was a player, any comments, any negativity, good or bad comments, were water off the duck’s back.
“Just brushed it aside. He knew what he was good at, knew what he wanted to do and would just carry on with it. And I don’t think he’d be any different as a manager.”
Michael Carrick’s substitutions are putting Ruben Amorim to shame!
Amorim's substitutions were his biggest flaw – Do you agree?
Michael Carrick has proven his Man Utd managerial status amid Roy Keane and Gary Neville’s commentary on his interim reign
Both Keane and Neville were two of the United legends who continuously advocated for another permanent managerial appointment ahead of interim boss Carrick.
Carrick has not bitten back at his former Man Utd teammates or Red Devils legends when he has spoken with the media amid the 2025-26 Premier League season.
In fact, Carrick showed class with handling Keane’s criticism about him, including the legendary former Man Utd captain taking a swipe at the interim boss’ partner.
Carrick has ignored the outside noise around his interim head coach reign and the drama-less run under his rule at Old Trafford has been refreshing for United fans.
Irrespective of the difference of being Man Utd’s permanent manager, Carrick has shown all the right qualities to deal with different big-name Red Devils legends.
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