Rio Ferdinand has defended Michael Carrick's credentials as Manchester United head coach after Roy Keane dismissed his chances of staying in charge beyond the end of this season
Rio Ferdinand looks on during a football match
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United should not rule out Michael Carrick remaining as head coach long-term(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Rio Ferdinand has criticised suggestions that Michael Carrick should not remain as Manchester United head coach beyond this season under any circumstances.
Roy Keane stated that he would not give Carrick the job permanently, regardless of the results. He said that stance would remain even if United won every remaining fixture this campaign.
Carrick has secured victories in his opening two matches since returning to the helm. United defeated Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford before claiming a 3-2 away success against Arsenal.
They face 15 additional Premier League encounters, meaning if the side collected maximum points from those games, they would amass 83 points. That tally sits one short of Liverpool's title-winning haul from last season.
Ferdinand has now hit back at assertions that nothing Carrick achieves could secure him the position permanently. During a YouTube live stream following the Arsenal triumph, he said: "Two weeks ago, Man Utd were in a sorry state of affairs; we were the butt of everyone's joke, it was a debacle, what we were looking at.
"Michael Carrick's come in and turned the collars up on his long trench coat and said: 'Listen guys, get behind me, I'm gonna put you in a structure that's gonna actually suit the players that we have, we're gonna be hard to play against, we're gonna work hard, and we're gonna be a threat. And, by the way, guys, my first two games are Man City and Arsenal.'
"He's gone and got six points! And people are telling me that, no matter what Michael Carrick does, he shouldn't get the opportunity to manage Man Utd. "Where the hell are you people coming from? The disrespect is unbelievable.
"For somebody to say, no matter what this person does, he doesn't deserve to be given the keys to Man Utd, on what grounds are you saying that? That's mad talk."
Keane outlined his position on Sky Sports during post-match analysis of the Arsenal match. He said: "I just think they need a bigger, more experienced manager. Simple as that. Carrick could win every game.
"The timing coming into the job was fantastic for him, and he's said it there; he's enjoying it. Are we all going to sit here and think Michael Carrick will get Manchester United winning league titles?
If you think, on the back of two wins, that he warrants the job, then that's your opinion, and I'm entitled to mine. I don't believe he's the man to get Manchester United back winning league titles."
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