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Gary Neville doesn't think Michael Carrick is the right man to lead Manchester United on a permanent basis in spite of his impressive start. The former Red Devils midfielder took over following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, signing a contract until the end of the season. He has enjoyed a dream start to his reign with successive victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.

United's winning form under Carrick has led to suggestions that he could be awarded the permanent job at the end of the season. Neville, however, believes such a move would be based on emotion rather than logic. He thinks a head coach like Thomas Tuchel or Carlo Ancelotti would be a much better fit to take charge of United ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Speaking after Sunday's victory over Arsenal, Neville said: "I played with Carrick for a number of years and, to be fair, I have a lot of time, respect and love for him.

"I think he's a really good person and a fantastic football player. He's understated, he's composed, and he won't get too high or too low.

"A few weeks ago, before the first game, I think everyone in football thought that if Michael Carrick could hold the baton for the rest of the season, do a really good job, put some smiles back on the players, and put the happiness back into the fans and the team, and then hand that baton over, that's what everyone was thinking three or four weeks ago.

"Manchester United have acted emotionally a number of times in the last 12 years. I honestly could not be happier with the last two weeks. The familiarity in what I'm watching feels like I'm watching my team play again properly. They played properly, with intensity.

"I think it's right that Carrick keeps the job until the end of the season and then hands the baton over to a Thomas Tuchel or a Carlo Ancelotti, someone of that world-class ilk. That's what his job is now. He'll realise what I'm saying is what I said a few weeks ago."

It comes after Roy Keane made a similar point, arguing that Carrick doesn't have what it takes to deliver Premier League titles.

He said on Sky Sports: "I think if United win every game from now until the end of the season, I still wouldn't be giving him the job. I just think they need a bigger, more experienced manager. Simple as that.

"Carrick could win every game, timing coming into the job was fantastic for him. He said there he was enjoying it but you enjoy management when you're winning football matches, of course.

"I think the size of the club and the challenges they face over the next few years, Jamie Carragher mentioned it the last few weeks, you want a manager you feel will come in and get Man United winning league titles.

"Are we all going to sit here and say Michael Carrick can get Man United winning league titles? It's still not enough for me. If you think on the back of two wins he warrants the job, then that's your opinion.

"I'm entitled to mine and I don't think he's the man to get Man United back to winning league titles."