Man United rejected Sky Sports' request for Roy Keane - Michael Carrick interview

James Cox

Roy Keane was very critical of Manchester United after Michael Carrick was appointed head coach until the end of the season, and an interview request from Sky Sports could have set up a tense exchange.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast after Carrick was announced as head coach until the end of the season, replacing Ruben Amorim, Keane was critical of the decision and questioned Jonny Evans being included on the coaching team.

However, he made headlines with comments about Carrick's wife.

He said: "His wife can always come in [if Carrick doesn't do well], because she's got a bit of a big mouth sometimes. She's probably doing the team talk."

Fans were baffled by the reference, but it dates back to an incident in 2014.

Keane was working as a pundit at the time, and he criticised Carrick for his performance in United's Champions League defeat to Olympiacos.

Taking to Twitter, now X, Carrick's wife Lisa wrote: "Roy Keane what a ****, says anything to provoke a reaction."

Lisa subsequently deleted the tweet and apologised. "Deleted my tweet... Emotions got the better of me," she wrote.

Keane clearly took note, waiting to get his response in.

When questioned about the incident at a press conference on Friday, Carrick said: "Honestly, it didn't bother me."

However, the club clearly did not like the idea of Keane interviewing Carrick before Sunday's Manchester derby.

According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, Sky proposed Carrick speaking to Keane from the studio.

United dismissed the request, but allowed Gary Neville to speak to Carrick in the tunnel before the game.

It was a perfect start for Carrick as United dominated Manchester City, with Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scoring in a 2-0 win. However, it could easily have been five as Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount had goals ruled out for tight offsides, while Diallo and Harry Maguire hit the woodwork.

Carrick made a number of brave tactical decisions including dropping Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, and starting Kobbie Mainoo and Maguire despite a lack of playing time for both this season.

It won't get any easier on Sunday, as they face Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

After the game, Keane gave Carrick "credit where it's due" for how the team played.

He told Sky Sports: “Credit where it’s due, absolutely fantastic. Let’s judge it over the next few months.

“The key is now to get momentum into this team, belief, no other distractions, focus on the league matches. There are quality players, we know that.

“They’ve not been consistent enough. Today, they’ve had a clean sheet and had two centre-halves and experienced players who can get a partnership together and stay injury-free, and all those things can fall into place.

“Players coming off the bench are having an effect. He’s done well today, but let’s see over the next few months how he does.”