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ROY KEANE still wouldn’t give Michael Carrick the Manchester United job despite him beating Pep Guardiola AND Mikel Arteta as interim boss.

The former Red Devils captain viciously defended his position live on Sky Sports against former arch rival Patrick Vieira, and Micah Richards.

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Keane argued passionately with Patrick Vieira about whether Michael Carrick should get the permanent jobCredit: sky sports
 

Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League
The club’s former midfielder beat Arsenal on Sunday, one week after winning against Manchester CityCredit: Getty
Carrick, 44, has an astonishing record standing in for United and has now got wins over Pep, Arteta (twice), Unai Emery, and Thomas Tuchel in his five matches in charge.

This one, a 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday evening, was as dramatic as any.

United came from behind to stun Arsenal, with brilliant strikes from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha securing a shock win after Mbeumo had earlier pounced on a Martin Zubimendi error to net.

The result means that Carrick has six points from six since replacing Darren Fletcher in the dugout earlier this month.

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But the former United midfielder hasn’t done enough to get the gig full-time, according to Keano.

Speaking after the match on Sky Sports, Keane was asked by Micah Richards if they should make a move to get him in permanently.

He replied in typically blunt fashion, saying: “No, you’re being silly now.

“He’s had two great performances but anybody can win two games.

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“It’s what he does until the end of the season and even if they do get into fourth I still wouldn’t be convinced he’s the man for the job, absolutely not.

“They need a bigger and better manager but he’s got the opportunity.

Match statistics show Manchester United defeated Arsenal 3-2.
United under Carrick have caused their opponents plenty of problems
“What a chance it is for him and you know what, he’s taken it. Fair play to him.”

Keane then went on to say that even if Carrick won EVERY game, he wouldn’t be the right choice.

Carrick took over as boss on a temporary basis in 2021 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.

However, he was only in that role for three games – a spell similar to that of his predecessor Darren Fletcher this time around – before he was replaced by Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.

Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League
United netted two stunning goals at the Emirates, one from Patrick Dorgu and another via Matheus CunhaCredit: Getty
 

Arsenal v Manchester United - Premier League
Carrick has a brilliant record in chargeCredit: Getty
This time, United have placed Carrick in the ‘Rangnick role’, in which he is expected to last the season before a full-time head coach is appointed.

And the stunning results in Carrick’s first two games against Man City and Arsenal have led to calls for him to get the permanent job.

When the topic of Carrick was revisited, Keane added: “It’s two big results.

“I think if United win every game from now until the end of the season, I still wouldn’t be giving him the job.

“I just think they need a bigger, more experienced manager, it’s as simple as that.

“Carrick could win every game. The timing coming into the job is fantastic for him.

“And he said it there, he’s enjoying it, but you’re enjoying management when you’re winning football matches, of course.

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But Keano is far from convinced the club would ever win silverware under the ex-England starCredit: Sky Sports
“But I think the size of the club and the challenges they will face over the next few years, because really, I’ve heard Jamie Carragher mention it over the last few weeks, you want a manager who you feel can come in and get United winning league titles.

“Are we all going to sit here and believe Michael Carrick can get United winning league titles?

“[The last two weeks] are not enough for me.

“If you think off the back of two wins he warrants the job then that’s your opinion and I’m entitled to mine and I don’t believe he is the man to get United back to winning league titles.”

Manchester United's next five games schedule: Feb 1 vs Fulham (H) 2PM, Feb 7 vs Spurs (H) 12:30PM, Feb 10 vs West Ham (A) 8:15PM, Feb 23 vs Everton (A) 8PM, and Mar 1 vs Crystal Palace (H) 2PM.
United are now in a strong position to secure Champions League qualification
Vieira then entered the chat, claiming that Carrick deserved the opportunity to emulate a number of other young managers who have got their first job at top clubs and performed.

The ex-Arsenal star said: “I think you have young managers with no experience who deserve to have a chance.

“You look at Inter Milan with Cristian Chivu, who is now top of the league in Serie A. And he’s doing a good job, and I think he will win the league.

“I think he [Carrick] deserves to have a chance at Manchester United.”

But Keane snapped back: “There’s loads of examples of young managers getting opportunities and doing really well.

“But there’s more examples of managers getting jobs and not doing well.

“We can pick five or six young managers who have gone into a job and done a brilliant job, you mention the clubs and they’re different to Manchester United.”

After Vieira tried to pose the example of Guardiola, Keane interrupted: “But I can name you 50 who didn’t get going…

“Everyone mentions Pep or [Zinedine] Zidane…”

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Even Gary Neville was not spared Keane’s ireCredit: Getty
Keane and Vieira were unable to finish their back and forth before Gary Neville stepped in and provided a more balanced view of why Man Utd should stick with Carrick until the end of the season.

Nev claimed that Carrick’s football had made him feel like he had got his club back but that the correct decision would be for the board to “hand the baton over to a Tuchel or Ancelotti” in the summer.

However, even Keane’s former team-mate didn’t escape his ire for hailing Carrick

The former hardman replied: “You just said you liked the way they’re playing.

“They played at Bournemouth a few months ago and they drew 3-3 at home, and you said you were pleased with that!”

Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal

MANCHESTER UNITED secured a famous victory over Arsenal after coming behind to win a Premier League epic.

Jurrien Timber gave the Gunners the lead before Bryan Mbeumo capitalised on a Zubimendi mistake to equalise before half time.

Patrick Dorgu then scored a stunning strike to give United the lead.

But Mikel Merino looked to have salvaged at least a point for the Gunners when he scrambled the ball home from a corner late on.

However, a minute later, Matheus Cunha had the final word with a brilliant strike to give United all three points.

Here’s how SunSport’s Samuel Luckhurst rated the Red Devils stars on a memorable afternoon in North London.

Keane and Carrick have been involved public controversy after comments made towards Carrick’s wife, Lisa, in 2014.

At the time, after a defeat against Olympiacos, Keane said of Carrick during his punditry: “That interview was just like the performance: flat.

“He should say a bit more, have a bit more urgency, even in the interview.”

Lisa responded on Twitter (now X): “Roy Keane what a **** [sic] says anything to provoke a reaction…That’s all..Done.”

Keane reignited the feud recently, saying: “Well, his wife can always come in because she’s got a bit of a big mouth sometimes.”

He added, smiling: “She’s probably doing the team talk.”

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It has since been claimed that Keane was denied the chance to talk to Carrick in an interview on Sky.

Instead, Neville was sent to talk to Carrick one to one after the former midfielder’s appointment.

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Keane has also been involved in a back and forth over a number of years with Carrick’s wife LisaCredit: Getty