Manchester United face five months of planning, interviews, and decisions before appointing the club’s next head coach at the end of this season, but Gary Neville wants one man ruled out immediately.
Ineos quite simply have to get the next managerial appointment spot on, with the fate of the club depending on it.
Having sacked Ruben Amorim in January, Manchester United didn’t have top options available and chose to appoint Michael Carrick as interim.
However, this was only step one of replacing Amorim, as United consider who will be appointed permanently.
Carlo Ancelotti has been suggested by Gary Neville, naming the Italian as the ‘outstanding candidate’ to get United back to the top of the game.
But he has also picked one head coach who shouldn’t be considered.
Who do YOU want as the next Man Utd manager?
What traits are you looking for?
Next manager graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Gary Neville doesn’t want Michael Carrick to get the permanent Manchester United job
Carrick currently has the Manchester United manager job until May when the Premier League season ends, and there is a question around whether he can earn himself the permanent job.
More United News
Right now, Carrick has 17 games to impress United and make himself undeniable, but he faces a tougher job than previous interim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did in 2018/19 to earn the job.
Michael Carrick during Manchester United Training Session
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Speaking on The Overlap, Neville has now had his say, insisting that under no circumstances should Carrick be considered for the permanent job.
“I mean, to be fair, I’ve got a lot of time for Ole, a lot of time for Ruud, a lot of time for Michael Carrick. I think the three great lads who, to be fair, I hope he does really well.
“There cannot be any consideration that Michael takes the job beyond this season.
“If he wins every game. Look, we could be sat at the end of the season where he’s done unbelievably well, and we’re all thinking, the fans are up and the you know they’re in the Champions League places, they’re fifth or whatever. It could happen if there’s a good run and we could all be getting swayed with it.
“I honestly feel like at the end of the season when you’ve got Pochettino Tuchel and Ancelotti.
“I said Ancelotti I just feel purely because he’s 66 years of age he’s got probably the best job in the world right now.”
Interestingly, there are comparisons between Carrick and Ancelotti, which could mean United should give the legendary midfielder time to prove himself beyond this season.
Does Michael Carrick REALLY have traits like Carlo Ancelotti? Do you see it?!
🔥Hot Take of the Week
Carrick / Ancelotti graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Gary Neville was a lot more open to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018
Neville’s stance on Carrick is likely a result of United being stung by appointing an interim permanently before with Solskjaer.
Back in 2018 when the Norwegian was appointed, Neville was in full support of Solskjaer getting the job permanently if he did well.
“I think it’s a temporary appointment before they get the man they want for the long term,” Neville said on Sky Sports back in 2018, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“If he won the Champions League, it’s inconceivable that he would be told to step down, and I don’t think Manchester United would do that. But I don’t think Manchester United are good enough to win the Champions League.
“To get into the top four would be a fantastic achievement, but I do think they have done this to get the man they want at the end of the season, who is obviously not available now.”
However, Neville’s response to Carrick shows he has learned from that prior mistake.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox