ROY KEANE SLAMS MICHAEL CARRICK'S 'BIG MOUTH' WIFE IN FRONT OF MAN UTD LEGEND

Roy Keane took aim at Michael Carrick's wife following a spat between the pair over 10 years ago

Roy Keane poked fun at comments made by Michael Carrick's wife(Image: Stick to Football)

Roy Keane aimed a dig at new Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick's wife while discussing the 44-year-old's return to Old Trafford. Carrick was confirmed as United's boss until the end of the season on Wednesday following Ruben Amorim's sacking earlier this month.

Carrick previously took charge of three games in 2021 before joining Championship side Middlesbrough. He returned to the club this week following positive discussions with the club's hierarchy.

His appointment was a main talking point on the Stick to Football podcast and Keane seemed to reignite a previous feud with Carrick's wife, Lisa, when discussing the chances of success this season. When speaking about the impact of Carrick on the United squad, Keane said; "His wife can always come in [if Carrick doesn't do well], cause she's got a bit of a big mouth sometimes. She's probably doing the team talk."

In 2014, Lisa responded to Keane's criticism of Carrick's performance and post-match interview following the 2-0 defeat to Greek side Olympiacos in the Champions League. Carrick's wife posted on Twitter, now X: "Roy Keane what a ****, says anything to provoke a reaction."

She then deleted the tweet and apologised for her words. "Deleted my tweet... Emotions got the better of me,” she wrote.

Keane was also critical of Carrick's backroom staff members. Former England assistant manager Steve Holland will be Carrick's number two, with Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate and Travis Binnion making up the management team.

"He's on the beach two weeks ago, Jonny Evans," Keane said. "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.

Jonathan Woodgate has joined Man United's coaching staff(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)

"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. You're on about getting your coaching staff in, you're praising one of them saying he's experienced and then we just let the other two go, Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans.

"What has Jonny Evans done to be a coach of Man United's first team? 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?"

He added: "My point is, if Steve Holland is on the training pitch at least you know they're going to get top class training sessions. I'm not saying they weren't before because they probably were as well. I don't know what Evans or Woodgate are like as coaches, don't know what Carrick is like as a coach."

- Josh Holland

SIR ALEX FERGUSON SENT DARREN FLETCHER WARNING BEFORE TAKING MAN UTD JOB

Darren Fletcher will get the chance to manage Manchester United in Wednesday's clash with Burnley, having learned from one of the very best in Sir Alex Ferguson

Darren Fletcher played 342 games under Sir Alex Ferguson(Image: Clint Hughes/Getty Images)

Wednesday will see Darren Fletcher become the fifth player from the school of Sir Alex Ferguson to manage Manchester United for at least one game. Fletcher, 41, has been installed as the club's interim manager following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday.

The former United midfielder, who came through their academy before making 342 appearances for the first-team, will lead the Red Devils in their trip to Burnley, joined by ex-team-mate Jonny Evans as part of his coaching staff. Fletcher has no experience of first-team management but he's been learning his trade in the world of coaching over the past few years.

In July, the Scot was appointed as head coach of United's under-18 side. Fletcher previously worked in assistant roles under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, and became the club's first ever technical director in 2021.

Having been diagnosed with a chronic bowel disease in 2011 and been forced to stop playing temporarily, the five-time Premier League winner delved into coaching. A decade and a half later and he'll be on the touchline as United's interim boss.

Fletcher joins Solskjaer, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy as those to have played under Ferguson and gone on to stand where he did for the best part of 27 years. But not everyone is cut out for management in the long term, Ferguson has warned.

In 2017, the legendary former United manager spoke to West Bromwich Albion about Fletcher's prospects as a coach. "I think his long-term position will be as a coach," Ferguson explained.

"Maybe even management. He's got the presence, he's got the sacrifice. When you become a manager, Martin (interviewer), it's a sacrifice.

"You give up your family life, which I did. I scouted my own players, I went to games every week - midweek and everywhere. That's the kind of sacrifice and you need to have the type of wife who understands that."

Sir Alex Ferguson warned Darren Fletcher about the sacrifices of being a manager(Image: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images)

While coaching at youth level brings its own pressures, nothing compares to a top job, especially at Old Trafford. Still, managing United is Fletcher's dream job.

"When I take my first steps on the management ladder, the goal is to become Manchester United manager because that's the pinnacle for me," he told the UTD Podcast in 2019. "Nothing tops that, nothing's bigger."

The road to becoming United's full-time manager may well start at Turf Moor. Currently, Fletcher is also expected to be remain in charge for Sunday's FA Cup tie at home to Brighton.

- Nathan Ridley

DARREN FLETCHER | MANCHESTER UNITED U18 MANAGERIAL RECORD

 

DARREN FLETCHER IS UNITED'S INTERIM MANAGER

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆:

Darren Fletcher appointed as Manchester United’s interim manager 

The former United midfielder takes charge with immediate effect, replacing Rúben Amorim, who has been sacked by the club.
 

MAN UNITED, BOLOGNA AGREE DEAL FOR JOSHUA ZIRKEE - SOURCE

 Manchester United have agreed a fee with Bologna for striker Joshua Zirkzee, a source has told ESPN.

United have reached a deal worth more than the €40 million ($43m) release clause written into Zirkzee's contract to allow the club to pay the fee over a longer period.

Triggering the release clause would have meant making a payment up front. A source has told ESPN that United have chosen to pay a "modest premium" in exchange for a longer payment period.

Zirkzee, who was also wanted by AC Milan, has already agreed personal terms and will move to Old Trafford on a five-year contract following a medical.

The 23-year-old, who scored 12 goals for Bologna last season, is set to become United's first signing of the summer.

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake have both signed two-year contracts to become part of Erik ten Hag's backroom staff.

Steve McClaren and Darren Fletcher will stay on as first-team coaches.

Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy have left.

"I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge and new energy to the staff," Ten Hag said.

"Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years and push to the next level."

United announced on Thursday that midfielder Donny van de Beek has left to join Girona. Sources have told ESPN the deal is worth an initial €500k but could rise to €9.1m through add-ons.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent