Gary Neville and Roy Keane have both issued Michael Carrick verdicts with a decision soon to be made on Manchester United’s permanent head coach role

Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane both stated on Monday evening that they anticipate Michael Carrick will be appointed as the club’s permanent manager. Carrick experienced his second loss as interim boss across 11 Premier League fixtures with a 2-1 loss against rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford.

A win would have virtually guaranteed Champions League qualification, though United remain in a commanding position. United occupied seventh spot and sat three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool when Carrick assumed the interim role.

Despite the Leeds setback, United – now third – still maintain a three-point advantage over their Merseyside opponents. The Reds will host Liverpool at Old Trafford next month.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Their results since Carrick succeeded Amorim have generated growing momentum for the former Middlesbrough head coach to be handed United’s next permanent position.

Just a month earlier, Keane harboured doubts about Carrick. However, both he and his colleague Neville now believe it is becoming more probable the ex-midfielder will secure the role and have implored United not go for a manager who they are not 100 per cent sure on.

Speaking ahead of the match, Neville commented on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football: “There were a number of candidates that presented, probably two or three months ago, that maybe aren’t on the table anymore. They’ve renewed their contracts in jobs. I think they still should be pursuing a world-class manager, someone who is best in class.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

“If Manchester United can get someone who has won Champions Leagues on a regular basis or who has won titles in their own country on a regular basis, they should still pursue that route. But I have to say, the more the candidates dwindle away, the more Michael gets toward third place, there are more advantages of keeping him.

“What you can’t do is take a chance in swapping him for a manager you’re not sure about. It would have to be a surefire certainty. It was interesting in his press conference. He was asked about whether he was part of recruitment meetings and planning for next season and Michael said yes he was.

“That’s good that he answered honestly. But I’d be a little bit worried if he wasn’t, he’s seeing the players every day. He’s trusted by the club. It will be getting to a point whereby there’s been so much unrest at Man United off the pitch in the last 12 to 18 months… I think 400 members of staff have left.

“There’s a massive amount of turbulence. What Michael’s doing right now, not just winning football matches which is critical, he’s settling the club down off the pitch as well which will be important.

“If you’re an owner and the rest of the club trust the manager, like the manager and feel he has a good way about him, that will count as they move towards the end of the season.

“I think it’s getting to a point where it’s pretty inevitable they’re going to appoint Michael Carrick. I just hold out for if a Luis Enrique or someone of that ilk was to become available, that United would make that decision and bring them in.

“World-class managers, who have been there before, United need to get back to winning titles and Champions Leagues. Managers who have done that before have obviously got a better chance.”

Meanwhile, his Sky Sports colleague Keane reflected: “It’s a nice problem to have. I fully expected when he got the job to win some football matches. They couldn’t have been as bad as they were. Going back to last season, finishing 15th.

“He had a dream start, City and Arsenal, winning them. He had the disappointment of the Newcastle game and even the last game, the 2-2 at Bournemouth. If he can finish the season strongly, which it looks like they can do, and obviously they’ve Chelsea next week and if they can beat Liverpool.

“Emotionally that will get fans on side. It’s going to make it very difficult. I’m sure United are speaking to prospects out there, potential other managers. At the moment he is in the driving seat. I can certainly see him getting the job.

“Then the real tests will start in the summer, getting recruitment and competing in terms of games where there’s jeopardy. The last month or two I think it’s almost been easy for him, I really do. He’s just focusing on winning football matches.

“The challenge will come, if he gets the job, with recruitment, managing the club and tougher games. He’ll be properly judged next year if he is the permanent manager at United.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.