Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham has offered a revealing insight into the motivations behind Roy Keane's recent criticism of interim manager Michael Carrick, suggesting it may stem from a sense of frustration at being overlooked for the top job at Old Trafford.
Keane's Brutal Assessment of Carrick's Appointment
Following the sacking of Ruben Amorim earlier this month, Manchester United turned to former midfielder Michael Carrick to take charge until the end of the season while the club searches for a permanent manager. Carrick, who had a brief stint as interim boss in 2021, was selected ahead of other club legends including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
This appointment prompted a scathing assessment from former captain Roy Keane, who labelled the situation a "circus" in the lead-up to last weekend's Manchester derby. Keane questioned Carrick's credentials, describing his time at Middlesbrough as a "failure" and even making a bizarre dig at Carrick's wife Lisa based on a social media post from fourteen years ago.
Sheringham's Perspective on Keane's Frustration
Speaking exclusively to Metro on behalf of BetMGM, Sheringham – who spent four years playing alongside Keane during United's most successful period – suggested the criticism might reflect deeper frustrations.
"Maybe, when you talk about Roy Keane, that might be the situation," Sheringham said. "He was a manager not so long ago and obviously would have had his eyes on the Man United job at one point after learning his trade at Sunderland and Ipswich. He would have been thinking, 'one day'. And he's been overlooked. So maybe there is a case of that."
Despite acknowledging Keane's credentials, Sheringham expressed support for Carrick's appointment, noting: "Listen, you could do a lot worse than putting Roy Keane in charge and having that sort of influence over things. But having said that, Michael Carrick is in now and I like his manner, the way he is as a person and I think he will do well."
Carrick's Immediate Challenges at Old Trafford
The interim manager faces significant challenges as he takes charge of a Manchester United side that has shown inconsistency this season. Despite being just one point off fifth place and firmly within touching distance of Champions League qualification, United have struggled for consistency, particularly during the festive period when they dropped points against Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth, and Wolves.
Carrick's immediate priorities include:
- Addressing Benjamin Šeško's form: The Slovenian striker has shown flashes of promise but needs to develop greater consistency in front of goal.
- Abandoning the problematic 3-4-3 formation: Carrick is expected to revert to the 4-2-3-1 system he favoured at Middlesbrough, which better suits United's current squad.
- Reintegrating Kobbie Mainoo: The young midfielder has endured a difficult season but could benefit from Carrick's guidance in a system that might better utilise his talents.
- Unleashing Bruno Fernandes: Restoring the Portuguese playmaker to a more advanced role where he historically contributed 0.81 goals or assists per game during Carrick's previous tenure as assistant manager.
The Ongoing Influence of United Legends
Sheringham also addressed the broader phenomenon of former players commenting on current United affairs, noting that Keane is far from alone in offering strong opinions. Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt recently made disparaging remarks about Erling Haaland's physical contest with Lisandro Martinez, prompting a response from the Argentine defender after his impressive performance against Manchester City.
"It is part of playing for Manchester United," Sheringham observed. "Everyone around the country wants to have their say, but that is the beauty of it. They are still the biggest club in the world. They are huge. You have to adapt to that. People like Keane, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, the Nevilles, they will always have something to say about it, it is their football club from years ago."
Carrick has already begun silencing some critics with United's impressive performance in their victory over Manchester City last weekend, but the scrutiny from club legends is likely to continue as he navigates the remainder of the season in the Old Trafford hot seat.
