Manchester United's newly appointed interim manager, Michael Carrick, has publicly shrugged off stinging criticism from club legends, branding their opinions 'totally irrelevant' to his mission at Old Trafford. The coach specifically addressed a personal jibe from former captain Roy Keane aimed at his wife, Lisa.
Keane's Personal Jab and Carrick's Response
Carrick was confirmed as United's interim head coach until the season's end this week, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. His appointment, which saw him preferred to former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has been met with scepticism in some quarters.
Roy Keane has been among the most vocal critics, also slamming the decision to bring Jonny Evans onto the coaching staff. Keane's criticism took a notably personal turn when he remarked that Carrick's wife Lisa 'has a big mouth' and could lead a team talk. The comment is believed to reference a tweet Lisa Carrick posted in 2014 responding to Keane's criticism of her husband's performances.
Addressing the media on Friday, Carrick was unequivocal in his dismissal. 'It didn't bother me,' he stated. 'They're not putting more pressure on me. I don't feel that. There are plenty of opinions around, some positive, some not too much. It's totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on.'
Focus on the Pitch Ahead of City Clash
Carrick, who will take charge of his first game in the hot seat in Saturday's high-stakes Manchester derby against City, insisted his attention is solely on the task at hand. He emphasised that external noise would not distract his preparations.
'I know what we want to improve on, how we want to work with the players,' Carrick explained. 'There's a lot that can be said, it's the way of the world. I'm not going to pay too much attention to that. For me, the players and staff it's a focus on how we're going to succeed.'
Navigating the Interim Role
The former United midfielder now faces the immense challenge of steadying the ship at Old Trafford after a turbulent period. His immediate focus is the daunting Premier League fixture against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
By publicly dismissing Keane's pointed remarks and the broader criticism from other ex-players, Carrick has drawn a clear line, attempting to insulate his squad from off-pitch drama as they prepare for one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
