Keane and Carrick’s feud reignites ahead of Manchester derby
A feud between Roy Keane and Michael Carrick has ignited ahead of today’s explosive showdown between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, reports BritPanorama.
Earlier this week, Keane launched a scathing attack on the newly appointed caretaker manager’s interim coaching setup, with one particular remark drawing considerable attention. During an appearance on the Stick To Football podcast, Keane took a direct swipe at Carrick’s spouse, saying, “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.”
The animosity between the pair can be traced back to the 2013/14 campaign when Keane criticized Carrick following a television interview after United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Olympiacos in the last-16 first leg. At that time, Keane remarked, “That interview was just like the performance: flat.” He added, “He [Carrick] should say a bit more, have a bit more urgency, even in the interview.”
In response to Keane’s latest comments, Lisa Carrick expressed her disdain on social media, describing Keane as someone who “will say anything to provoke a reaction.” This exchange appears to have marked a significant escalation in their ongoing rivalry.
Beyond his remarks about Lisa Carrick, Keane criticized the wider interim coaching team at Old Trafford, questioning the credentials of Jonny Evans in particular. He pointed out Evans’s brief time away from the club, saying, “He’s on the beach two weeks ago, Jonny Evans,” and questioned how Evans could transition from a loans manager to a first-team coach in such a short time.
Carrick faced reporters during his inaugural press conference and brushed aside Keane’s remarks, insisting he was unfazed. “It didn’t bother me,” he stated regarding the comments about his wife. He emphasized that the opinions of former players in the media do not add pressure on him, noting, “There’s a lot of opinions, a lot can be said. It is the way of the world, I’m not going to pay too much attention to most of that.”
This mounting tension lays just beneath the surface before a match that both clubs understand carries more than just three points in its balance. With a history as turbulent as ever, the Manchester derby is poised to capture the attention of fans and analysts alike, serving as a reminder of how personal rivalries can emerge even amid the pressures of football’s greatest stage.
