Gary Neville Gives Surprising Verdict on Manchester United

Former player impressed by Michael Carrick's impact as interim coach

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Gary Neville, the former Manchester United player and current pundit, has expressed a surprisingly positive assessment of the club's recent performance under interim head coach Michael Carrick. Neville, who is known for his critical analysis of United, has acknowledged being impressed by the team's turnaround since Carrick took over the reins.

Why it matters

Neville's comments are noteworthy as he is typically quite outspoken in his criticism of Manchester United, so his praise for the team's recent form under Carrick's leadership is seen as a significant shift in his perspective on the club's current state.

The details

Carrick, a former United player himself, was appointed as interim head coach after the club parted ways with previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Since then, the team has shown signs of improvement, with Neville highlighting the positive impact Carrick has had on the squad's performance and morale.

  • Michael Carrick was appointed as Manchester United's interim head coach in late 2026.

The players

Gary Neville

A former Manchester United player and current pundit who is known for his critical analysis of the club.

Michael Carrick

A former Manchester United player who was appointed as the club's interim head coach after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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What they’re saying

“I can't believe what I'm saying, but Manchester United have looked a lot better since Michael Carrick took over as interim manager.”

— Gary Neville (Manchester Evening News)

What’s next

Manchester United's board is expected to make a decision on the permanent head coaching position in the coming weeks, with Carrick potentially being considered for the role.

The takeaway

Neville's positive assessment of Manchester United's performance under Carrick's leadership suggests that the club may be on the right track, despite their recent struggles, and that Carrick could be a viable candidate for the permanent head coaching position.