Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane both stated on Monday evening that they anticipate Michael Carrick will be appointed as the club's permanent manager. Carrick experienced his second loss as interim boss across 11 Premier League fixtures with a 2-1 loss against rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford.
A win would have virtually guaranteed Champions League qualification, though United remain in a commanding position. United occupied seventh spot and sat three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool when Carrick assumed the interim role. Despite the Leeds setback, United - now third - still maintain a three-point advantage over their Merseyside opponents.
Speaking ahead of the match, Neville commented on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football: "There were a number of candidates that presented, probably two or three months ago, that maybe aren't on the table anymore. They've renewed their contracts in jobs. I think they still should be pursuing a world-class manager, someone who is best in class. If Manchester United can get someone who has won Champions Leagues on a regular basis or who has won titles in their own country on a regular basis, they should still pursue that route. But I have to say, the more the candidates dwindle away, the more Michael gets toward third place, there are more advantages of keeping him."
Neville added: "What you can't do is take a chance in swapping him for a manager you're not sure about. It would have to be a surefire certainty. It was interesting in his press conference. He was asked about whether he was part of recruitment meetings and planning for next season and Michael said yes he was. That's good that he answered honestly. But I'd be a little bit worried if he wasn't, he's seeing the players every day. He's trusted by the club. It will be getting to a point whereby there's been so much unrest at Man United off the pitch in the last 12 to 18 months... I think 400 members of staff have left. There's a massive amount of turbulence. What Michael's doing right now, not just winning football matches which is critical, he's settling the club down off the pitch as well which will be important."
Meanwhile, his Sky Sports colleague Keane reflected: "It's a nice problem to have. I fully expected when he got the job to win some football matches. They couldn't have been as bad as they were. Going back to last season, finishing 15th. He had a dream start, City and Arsenal, winning them. He had the disappointment of the Newcastle game and even the last game, the 2-2 at Bournemouth. If he can finish the season strongly, which it looks like they can do, and obviously they've Chelsea next week and if they can beat Liverpool. Emotionally, I think it's getting to a point where it's pretty inevitable they're going to appoint Michael Carrick."
