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Sir David Beckham entered the fray of Manchester United legends who have weighed in on Michael Carrick’s interim managerial reign at Old Trafford this season.
Only eight Premier League matches remain in Michael Carrick’s current spell in the Old Trafford hot seat after his appointment under Ineos back in January.
But seven wins from 10 Premier League matches and third-place Manchester United challenging for the top four have seen Carrick’s stock value ascend to new heights.
Carrick’s interim reign and potential discourse around him being appointed permanently at the Red Devils have sparked a range of different reactions so far.
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images1. Sir David Beckham (For Michael Carrick)
During the March international break, Sir David Beckham touched on Michael Carrick’s impact at Old Trafford as Manchester United interim head coach.
Beckham played alongside Carrick for the England national team and the former Three Lions captain has been left in awe at the immediate turnaround at the club.
“I think that the way he’s got the team and brought the team together has been incredible,” he told talkSPORT last week.
“I think as a United fan, it’s exactly what we needed.”
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Getty Images 2. Wayne Rooney (For Michael Carrick)
Unlike the rare moments where United legend Beckham offers his thoughts on the Red Devils, the same cannot be said for Wayne Rooney at the moment.
Wayne Rooney has been a key BBC Sport pundit since he was axed from Plymouth Argyle in 2024 and has been closely watching Carrick’s 10-match reign so far.
“100 per cent he [Carrick] should [get the job],” he told BBC Radio 5 Live, as per BBC Sport in March.
“I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. I know him very well. I know his character and his personality.”
3. Rio Ferdinand (For Michael Carrick)
Just like ex-Man Utd and England teammates Beckham and Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand is in the pro-Carrick camp amid the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Rio Ferdinand has provided the same optics as Rooney as a pundit and the 47-year-old United legend is keen for Carrick to succeed Ruben Amorim permanently.
“People are telling me that no matter what Michael Carrick does, he shouldn’t get an opportunity to manage Man United,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents in January.
“Where the f— do these people come from?”
Ferdinand added: “The disrespect is unbelievable!” he continued.
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Getty Images 4. Roy Keane (Against Michael Carrick)
In the least surprising entry on this list, Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane has shown there is no love lost towards interim head coach Carrick at Man Utd this season.
Carrick has played down Roy Keane’s ruthless words, but the former Middlesbrough manager won’t be getting an endorsement for the permanent role from him.
When asked if Carrick should be appointed Man Utd’s next permanent manager, Keane told Sky Sports in March: “No, I think there are better options out there.
“I think the games that he has come in, he has won football matches and done a very good job. He has simplified things, but there has been no jeopardy in those games.
“They’ve had free weeks to prepare for those matches; it has been good timing for him, and he has done a very good job. I take my hat off to him.”
5. Gary Neville (Against Michael Carrick)
Unlike Man Utd legend Roy Keane’s firm stance, Gary Neville has not been as cold with his words towards former Red Devils and England teammate Carrick.
Carrick has received praise from Gary Neville for his work as an interim manager, but the ex-‘Class of ‘92’ star does not openly back him as Ruben Amorim’s successor.
“I hope Michael does really well,” Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast in January, as per Sky Sports.
The former Man Utd captain added: “But there cannot be any consideration that Michael takes the job beyond the end of this season, for the sake of Michael and the club, even if he wins every single game.”
6. Paul Scholes (Against Michael Carrick)
Paul Scholes leans more towards former Man Utd teammates Keane and Gary Neville compared with Ferdinand, Beckham and Rooney over interim boss Carrick.
Despite Carrick’s impressive interim reign so far at Old Trafford, former midfielder Paul Scholes wants Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti as the next United manager.
“The perfect one out there – I say perfect – [Carlo] Ancelotti is still out there,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast in March.
The stage is now set for Carrick going into his final eight Premier League matches in charge as interim Red Devils head coach in the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford.
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