slide-icon

Rio Ferdinand makes 'disrespectful' accusation as Man Utd icon disagrees with Roy Keane

View 2 Images

doc-content image

Rio Ferdinand has slammed suggestions that there's no scenario where Michael Carrick should stay as Manchester United head coach beyond the end of this season. Roy Keane said after the 3-2 win over Arsenal that he would not appoint Carrick long-term under any circumstances, even if United won all their remaining matches this season.

Carrick has won his first two matches back in charge. United beat Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford before then winning 3-2 away at Arsenal.

They have 15 more Premier League matches, so if the team take maximum points from those fixtures, they would have 83 points. That total is one less than Liverpool won the title with last season.

Ferdinand has now called out claims that there's nothing Carrick can do to earn the role long-term. During a live stream on YouTube after the win over Arsenal, 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'.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

"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, meanwhile, explained his stance on Sky Sports during post-match analysis. He said: "I just think they need a bigger, more experienced manager. Simple as that.

View 2 Images

doc-content image

"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."

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Manchester UnitedArsenalManchester CityRio FerdinandMichael CarrickRoy KeaneLate WinnerPremier League