Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as interim head coach for the rest of the season. This follows Ruben Amorim's sacking last Monday.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane. He questioned the club's strategy and described the situation as "chaos" ahead of Carrick's first game on Saturday against Manchester City.
Keane expressed particular concern about the coaching staff assembled under Carrick, which includes former England assistant Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, ex-defender Jonny Evans, under-21s coach Travis Binnion, and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson. Several of these coaches previously worked together under Darren Fletcher during his two-game interim charge.
Questions over Carrick's track record
Keane told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday's derby: "I'm more concerned. More concerned with the appointment and staff that have come in with the manager. You look at Michael Carrick. Whatever his remit was at Middlesbrough – I'm sure it was to get promoted, he didn't do that so you can say he failed there – doesn't mean to say he's a bad manager. You get the opportunity, it's great for him. You look at the staff he's brought in, you look at Manchester United being the best of the best – at this moment in time I don't see that. Manchester United the greatest club in the world, one of the biggest… but all of a sudden we're going to take a gamble on a manager who hasn't got a great track record."
Keane specifically highlighted Jonny Evans' inclusion in the coaching set-up, questioning the repeated reliance on the same backroom staff. He told Sky Sports: "Jonny gets the phone call. I bet Jonny Evans is thinking, 'as the kit manager, or to work with the under-12s?' No, to work with the first team. He had two games, didn't go well. That's probably the end of it – no, another manager comes in and they want you to stay on as well. Would I come and help Manchester United? Probably no. I wouldn't want to work with people above me who are dictating who your staff are and telling me what players you're bringing in. There has been chaos in the background."
Carrick's return to the dugout
This marks Carrick's second stint as interim manager at Manchester United. He previously served as caretaker following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking in November 2021. After leaving United, Carrick managed Middlesbrough but failed to secure promotion during his tenure there.
Carrick himself has dismissed pressure from former players turned pundits, including Keane and Gary Neville, insisting their opinions do not add extra weight to his role.
Saturday's Manchester derby will test whether the club's decision to hand him the reins for the remainder of the campaign can restore stability.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
