Roy Keane and Gary Neville engaged in a heated exchange on Sky Sports regarding the level of acclaim being directed at Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick.
Keane cut in during the discussion to challenge what he views as excessive recognition for the 44-year-old’s tactical decisions.
The former United captain took particular issue with the plaudits Carrick received following Monday’s 2-1 victory against Brentford.
“That is where I draw the line, where it is a bit over the top,” Keane declared on air.
Roy Keane and Gary Neville could not agree on Michael Carrick as Man Utd manager
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SKY SPORTS
The debate unfolded ahead of United’s crucial Premier League encounter with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Keane pointed to the Brentford fixture as evidence that the praise had become disproportionate, noting that United held a comfortable two-goal advantage at the interval against opponents who had failed to win in five or six matches.
“You are 2-0 up at half-time against Brentford who have not won in five or six, they lost the second half 1-0 and he’s getting thumbs up for that,” Keane stated.
Neville offered a contrasting view, insisting the tactical adjustment was necessary.
“I think they would have lost the game had he kept the system they had in the first half,” he countered. “They were hanging on for dear life.”
Neville conceded he remained uncertain about whether Carrick should be handed the role permanently, revealing his instinct when the interim appointment was made.
Michael Carrick has won 10 out of 14 Premier League matches in charge at United
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REUTERS
“My gut feeling when he got the job was that Man United should go out and appoint a world class manager, the very best they can with a body of work with Champions League experience and league titles,” he explained.
The former right-back acknowledged that Carrick lacks such credentials, having spent recent years developing his managerial skills at Middlesbrough.
However, Neville posed a practical question about alternatives: “Who is out there right now that is available and can come in and take over from Michael?”
United secured their place in next season’s Champions League with a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko fired the hosts into a commanding position before half-time, but Liverpool responded through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo to draw level.
Kobbie Mainoo settled the contest in the 77th minute, striking from outside the penalty area to seal all three points.
Keane reflected afterwards that the match had showcased “the best and the worst” of Carrick’s side, praising their three-goal haul against their rivals whilst expressing reservations about what he described as an “ugly” second-half display.
