Roy Keane has expressed his hope that Michael Carrick will be handed the permanent Manchester United job, despite previously stating the club should look elsewhere.
Surprise Show of Support
The United legend has offered a surprising show of support for Carrick, stating that he hopes his former teammate secures the Old Trafford hot seat on a permanent basis. Carrick has enjoyed a blistering start to his tenure, securing high-profile victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.
The results have evidently resonated with Keane, even if the pundit remains professionally torn on the decision. Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Keane appeared to backtrack on his previous assertions that the club needed to look elsewhere.
Short-Term Success and Long-Term Doubts
Keane was keen to differentiate between the short-term impact of a caretaker manager and the gruelling demands of a permanent appointment. The former United skipper warned that while Carrick has stabilised the ship, leading the club to a Premier League title requires a different skillset entirely.
Keane maintained his belief that, objectively, the club could aim higher in their search for a long-term successor. "I think you can get a better manager than Carrick, absolutely. But I think he's doing a good job, perfect timing for him," Keane explained.
Comparison to Van Nistelrooy
Keane drew parallels between Carrick's current situation and that of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who also enjoyed a successful interim spell at the club. The Irishman noted that regardless of whether United offer Carrick the permanent deal, his reputation will be significantly bolstered in a similar fashion.
Warning on Defensive Frailties
True to form, Keane refused to get swept up in the euphoria of recent results. While he acknowledged the "excellent" attacking football that put Arsenal to the sword, he was quick to highlight the defensive vulnerabilities that were exposed during that same match.
"It's still only two games," Keane warned, urging supporters to temper their expectations. "United beat Liverpool earlier in the season. They've found ways to win games of football before. It's definitely been better, but let's see over the next few months and the next year or two. Let's not get carried away. The attacking play has been excellent, but they gave up two goals at Arsenal," Keane said.
Despite his reservations, Keane expressed his hope that Carrick will be given the opportunity to prove himself as the permanent Manchester United manager. "I hope they give it to him," Keane said. "I hope they give it to him in the summer. I don't think it's the right decision, good luck with it."