ROY KEANE launched a stinging rant to explain why he would NOT make Michael Carrick the permanent Manchester United manager.
And then he revealed who his two top picks for the Old Trafford hotseat are.
Michael Carrick has impressed with seven wins from nine matchesCredit: PA
Roy Keane is still not backing him to be the right man beyond the summerCredit: Sky Sports
Carrick took over on a short-term deal to the end of the season when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January.
He has overseen seven wins, one draw and one defeat in his nine matches.
The ex-Boro boss maintained his 100 per cent winning record at home with to take another step closer to Champions League qualification.
After the game on Sky Sports , Keane was asked if he would give Carrick the gig beyond the summer given his impressive spell.
But he was emphatic in his response.
The no-nonsense Irishman simply replied: “No.”
Asked to elaborate, continued: “I think there’s better options out there.
“The games where he’s come in, in terms of winning football matches, he’s done a very good job.
“But there’s been no jeopardy in those games, he’s had free weeks to prepare for the matches, there’s been good timing for him to go in there, and he’s done a very good job. I take my hat off to him.
“If he does get the job in the summer, you say, ‘Good luck to you,’ but I think there are far better options out there for the next manager of .
“If had been mentioned three months ago to be the next United manager, you’d have been locked up. We would have said he wasn’t even the reckoning.
“He’s done a very good job but I think there’s better options out there, simple as that.
“United will have to interview people and see what’s out there.”
Keane went on to explain that there is a big difference between an inteirm or temporary manager and getting the job full-time, where the gaffer is involved in decisions over contracts, medical department and transfers.
He then explained who and what he is looking for when United do get around to appointing their new boss.
Keane added: “I think to manage Manchester United, you need someone with a lot more experience in terms of winning trophies, competing in Europe, and he hasn’t got that. It might happen in a few years, and he might be in the mix then.
“I remember this is the same group of players that finished 15th. So everyone else can get giddy about United being third in the league. I don’t. I’m not one of them.
“If people honestly think Carrick’s the best option… there’s loads of options out there.
“You go and get the best. Carrick’s not the best option for Man United.”
Pressed for names, Keane admitted Thomas Tuchel would be under consideration but his new England contract until 2028 rules him out.
Instead, he identified Diego Simeone and Luis Enrique, at Atletico Madrid and PSG respectively.
Man Utd player ratings vs Aston Villa
BRUNO FERNANDES and Casemiro boosted Manchester United’s Champions League dreams with a 3-1 win over top-five rivals Aston Villa.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players from Old Trafford…
Senne Lammens: Lammens was left vulnerable by his defense and failed to produce the kind of performance that would catch the eye of the watching Peter Schmeichel. 6
Diogo Dalot: Dalot combined promising energy with a glaring lack of composure, most notably when he inexplicably skied a point-blank sitter before the break. 6
Harry Maguire: Maguire was a dominant physical presence who effectively nullified Ollie Watkins, even while remaining frustratingly prone to his trademark shakiness. 7
Leny Yoro: Yoro staged a heroic redemption from his previous “disaster-class” with a sensational, last-ditch slide tackle to deny a certain goal. 7
Luke Shaw: Despite being weak for the cross, Shaw likely secured his place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans with several vital, game-saving blocks. 7
Casemiro: The Brazilian legend turned his farewell parade into a masterclass, proving his irreplaceable intelligence as fans pleaded for “one more year.” 8
Kobbie Mainoo: Mainoo snapped out of his recent slump with a display of pure composure, highlighted by a massive, goal-saving challenge inside the box. 7
Amad: The diminutive winger rose highest for a spectacular header that forced a world-class save, though his impact was marred by sloppy distribution. 7
Bruno Fernandes: Fernandes cemented his status as the league’s best No. 10 by shattering David Beckham’s club record with a pair of sublime assists. 9
Matheus Cunha: Cunha’s feisty spirit and clinical finish allowed him to “stick the knife in” Unai Emery with a provocative surfing celebration. 8
Bryan Mbeumo: Mbeumo’s form continues its worrying downward spiral, as he struggled to produce anything memorable beyond winning a single corner. 6
For a deeper dive into each player and SunSport’s take on the subs, check out the .
Keane reasoned: “It’s like when you’re looking for a midfielder as a club. You go and try and get the best midfielder. You don’t get one who’s maybe come on loan for five, six games.
“If they go out and try and suss these managers out and they all come back and they want 25, 30 million, here you go, I get it.
“But the responsibility of the board surely is to go, let’s go and get the best that’s available to Manchester United. That’s it.
“If Carrick gets the job in the summer, what’s his remit? I’m guessing to . I’m pretty sure it would be.
“Are we all going to sit here and go, ‘Yeah, we think he’s capable of doing it’? I don’t think he is. That experience must come into it.
“If Carrick’s the manager in the summer and he’s coming back and Casemiro’s gone and he’s making decisions on Harry Maguire, it’s a different vibe at the club then.
“They won’t be seeing him as this nice guy. He’ll have to make tough decisions. That’s where the challenge is coming from.
“But if he does all that and he produces and he starts winning trophies the next year or two, I’ll tell you what, I didn’t see that coming.
“Carlo Ancelotti for example. If Ancelotti walks in the summer and he’s chatting to the players, I’m sure they’re going, ‘This is a guy who’s won loads of stuff.’
“I played under Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson. When they’re coming to your dressing room, ‘Oh yeah, I like this, now you’re talking, we’re going places with this guy.’
“Has Carrick got that huge respect amongst the players? Maybe they have because he’s a nice guy and all this. But I’m on about bringing a CV with you.
“I’m not saying Carrick and his staff aren’t qualified to do sessions. Of course they are. He has brought experienced coaches with him. I get that.
“He’s proven he can win a few football matches. Let’s see if he can win some titles.
“But if you ask me, do I think United will get back to winning league titles the next year or two with Carrick and his staff? The answer is no. But I’d love to be proven wrong.”
Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone would be Keane’s top picksCredit: AFP or licensors
United saw off Aston Villa 3-1 to close in on the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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