--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-05-18T16:46:23.441Z last_updated: 2026-05-18T15:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/manchester-united/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWFuY2hlc3RlcmV2ZW5pbmduZXdzLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0L2Zvb3RiYWxsL2Zvb3RiYWxsLW5ld3MvbWFuLXVuaXRlZC1taWNoYWVsLWNhcnJpY2sta2VhbmUtMzM5NjU5NDU --- # 'He doesn't give a...' – Michael Carrick's reaction to Roy Keane criticism - **Source:** - **Published:** 18 May - **Club:** Manchester United - **Original URL:** https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-united-michael-carrick-keane-33965945 Carrick continued his impressive stint in interim charge with a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. United are now guaranteed to finish third in the Premier League, which looked like a pipe dream when the club parted ways with Ruben Amorim in January and appointed Carrick on a temporary basis. Despite Carrick's strong form at the helm of United, he has faced doubts when it comes to taking the job full-time from the likes of Keane and Gary Neville. Ferdinand, however, doesn't believe such flak will affect the 44-year-old. "I'll tell you one thing, Michael Carrick will not give a s**t what Gary Neville or Roy Keane says," the ex-England star said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. "When he was a player, any comments, any negativity, good or bad comments, were like water off a duck's back. He just brushed it aside, he knew what he was good at, knew what he wanted to do and would just carry on with it and I don't think he'll be any different as a manager." Keane has been firmly opposed to Carrick getting the permanent job ever since the former United midfielder arrived as interim boss. "I’m guessing the remit for him was to get in the Champions League, they’ve done that but there’s still huge problems ahead," Keane recently said on Sky Sports on whether Carrick deserves the job. "Was he still the best option out there? We obviously don’t know what other managers they spoke to. But the fact he was winning football matches…but still huge problems at United. Huge problems. "He’s managed Middlesbrough previously, he’s had spells at United. He’s got the opportunity and good luck to him, if he does well fantastic. I’ve got my doubts but we’ll wait and see. It seems like a safe decision from the club’s point of view because their previous decision backfired on them." Speaking in January, the ex-Republic of Ireland captain said he'd opt for Newcastle boss Eddie Howe as United's next permanent manager. Soon after he claimed "there are better options out there" for his former club, adding: "So everyone else can get giddy about Man United being third in the league but I don't. I'm not one of them. I don't get all excited for stuff like that." Gary Neville has also expressed his doubts. Speaking ahead of United's 3-2 win over Forest, he said: "He’s done a fantastic job as a caretaker and interim, but a permanent manager comes with a different sort of pressure – and a different level of expectations." Discussing Carrick's position last month, the ex-United defender said: "I was adamant, four months ago, before Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], Ruud [Van Nistelrooy] and Michael were all interviewed for the role: please, whatever happens, do not appoint any of them at the end of the season. Bring one in now, stabilise the club, then put someone world-class in who has a great coaching pedigree." Paul Scholes, another of Carrick's former colleagues, has also voiced his concerns. He said: "I don't know. It's not straightforward, is it? From what's happening now - just playing Premier League games - to the start of next season is a totally different challenge. "Suddenly, you're playing three cup competitions, playing Saturday-Wednesday. That's a big deal for him in terms of getting the job next year, and he should maybe question himself seriously about whether he wants it." 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.