'Simple as that': Roy Keane sends blunt message to INEOS over Michael Carrick appointment

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick guided his side to a crucial 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

With the victory, United have climbed to 54 points and opened up a five-point cushion over fifth-placed Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.

Carrick remains in charge until the end of the season, but a sustained run of positive results could yet persuade the club hierarchy to hand him the permanent role this summer.

While Wayne Rooney has publicly backed his former teammate to take the job full-time, Roy Keane believes Man United should explore stronger managerial options on the market.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Keane offered a blunt assessment of the situation.

He said: “I think there’s better options out there. I think the games where he’s come in, there’s been no jeopardy. Three weeks to prepare for the matches.

“I think there’s far better options out there to be the manager of Man Utd. Simple as that. Man Utd will have to go out and interview people, and see what’s out there.

“I think Man Utd need someone with more experienced of winning trophies, competing in Europe, and he hasn’t got that.

“The timing was good for Man Utd. Remember this is the same team who finished 15th. People get giddy that United are third in the league – I don’t. I’m not one of them. I get excited when teams are winning trophies.”

Roy Keane needs to back his comments

Identifying a clearly superior alternative to Carrick is far from straightforward.

Thomas Tuchel had been strongly linked with the United job, but he recently committed his future by signing a contract extension with the England national team.

Carlo Ancelotti was another high-profile name touted for the role, yet he now appears set to remain Brazil’s head coach beyond the upcoming World Cup.

Julian Nagelsmann is leading Germany to the World Cup but could be available after the coveted tournament.

Roberto De Zerbi is currently without a club after leaving Marseille earlier this year, while Andoni Iraola could also enter the market once his contract with Bournemouth expires.

At present, none of these names appear to represent a clearly superior option if United continue their upward trajectory under Carrick.

Luis Enrique is perhaps the only elite coach capable of transforming the club instantly, but prising him away from Paris Saint-Germain would be an enormous challenge for INEOS.

Keane believes Eddie Howe could be the man to deliver success at Old Trafford.

Howe is undoubtedly a capable manager, but making the leap from Newcastle United to becoming permanent head coach at Man United would represent a huge step up.

Despite significant financial backing, Howe has managed to deliver just one trophy with Newcastle and currently looks set to miss out on a European qualification spot next season.

If Howe truly represents Keane’s preferred candidate, INEOS may be better off politely ignoring the advice of the former United captain.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .