Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s newly assembled coaching team during a heated exchange with Gary Neville.
Michael Carrick has been appointed to succeed the dismissed Ruben Amorim, assembling a backroom staff that features former England assistant Steve Holland, his previous Middlesbrough colleague Jonathan Woodgate, recently retired defender Jonny Evans, and Under-21s manager Travis Binnion.
The former United captain took aim at the composition of Carrick’s team, particularly challenging the credentials of several appointments.
“What about the other coaches he’s brought in?” Keane demanded of Neville on the Stick to Football podcast.
Neville conceded uncertainty about the wider appointments, admitting: “The other two look like people he’s sort of relied upon. I don’t know I’ve never seen the other two coach.”
Keane reserved particular criticism for Evans, whose journey back to the first-team setup drew his ire.
“Jonny Evans leaves Man United four or five weeks ago as a loans manager and then Darren Fletcher gives him a job, strangely enough gives him a job,” Keane said.
“He has two games, Fletch goes and Carrick gives him a job, great isn’t it. We should all go to Barbados for a week.”
Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s newly assembled coaching team during a heated exchange with Gary Neville
|
SKY
The former midfielder pointed out that Evans had departed his role overseeing loans and pathways in December before being rehired into a more senior position just weeks later.
“What has Jonny Evans done to be a coach of Man United’s first team?” Keane asked.
“He left the job four weeks ago – loans manager and ironically comes back working with the first team. That’s a big step up isn’t it?”
Ian Wright backed Keane’s assessment, agreeing: “It’s a massive step up.”
Michael Carrick will manage Manchester United until the end of the season
|
GETTY
Neville attempted to justify his enthusiasm for Holland’s arrival, describing the former England coach as “a serious operator” who would ensure “top class training sessions” at Carrington.
“Steve Holland, I’m not saying it’s going to bring success, but he is a serious operator. I think it’s made Carrick’s staff better,” Neville argued.
However, Keane remained unconvinced, mocking the reverence afforded to Holland.graphs
“But that’s ok because we’ve got Stevie Holland, our new guru!” he said sarcastically.
The Irishman also challenged the notion that experience alone guarantees success, referencing previous appointments that failed to deliver results.
“Steve McClaren was experienced, Mike Phelan was experienced, these are all guys over the last few years,” Keane added, highlighting coaches who struggled during United’s post-Ferguson era.
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWS
He then pressed Neville on what he perceived as inconsistent logic in evaluating the coaching appointments.
“On one hand you’re sitting here going, ‘I’m so happy they brought Steve Holland in’, but they brought another two staff in who you’re dismissing as ‘I’m not really bothered about them’,” he said.
The former captain expressed frustration that Neville could not endorse the entire coaching setup.
“I wish we were sitting here with you saying he’s brought three staff in and they’re all brilliant,” Keane continued.
Neville maintained his position, insisting Holland possessed significant experience and coaching ability, though acknowledging he knew little about Evans or Woodgate’s capabilities.
Carrick and his new team face an immediate test when United host Manchester City on Saturday, with the club seeking Champions League qualification after being eliminated from all cup competitions this season.
