Man United boss Michael Carrick reacts to Roy Keane’s criticism of his wife | OneFootball

Michael Carrick has shrugged off Roy Keane’s criticism of his wife and said the words of the former Manchester United players-turned-pundits won’t bother him.

The new United head coach faces Manchester City in his first game in charge on Saturday to a background of noise from some of his former teammates.

And former captain Keane had said Carrick’s wife Lisa had a “big mouth” as he belatedly responded to a tweet she posted in 2014 criticising his commentary and analysis.

But Carrick shrugged it off. “It didn’t bother me,” he said. “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.

“I know what we want to improve on, how we want to work with the players. 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.”

Keane and Carrick have clashed in the past, notably when the former was working for ITV during a Champions League match in 2014. Man United had just lost 2-0 to Olympiacos in the first leg of the last 16 tie, with Carrick being interviewed afterwards, stating that they were “still in the tie” and “looking forward to the second leg.”

But an irritated Keane responded with a cutting remark: “That interview was just like the performance, flat. Say a bit more, bit more urgency. Even in his interview. Flat, no urgency, keeps saying, ‘next game’. For some of them, there won’t be a next game. That’s the reality of it.”

Man United would later reverse the tie at Old Trafford, winning the last-16 second leg 3-0 to advance 3-2 on aggregate.

Carrick, who had a three-year spell in charge of Middlesbrough, said he was delighted to get the chance to manage United for the rest of the season.

Michael Carrick has been appointed as interim head coach at Manchester United until the end of the season (AP)

He added: “It’s fantastic to be here, a great feeling to be in this position. I’ve had different roles and fallen in love with the club.

“I’m fully aware of the position I’m in. I’m eager to succeed; we’ve got a big job to do.”

Carrick outlined his ambition to succeed after Ruben Amorim’s sacking, underlining the squad’s “talents, dedication and ability.”

He said: “I know what it takes to succeed here; my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.

“I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years. I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here.

“There is still a lot to fight for this season. We are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves.”