Michael Carrick's reaction to Man Utd critics as Roy Keane told 'he doesn't give a...'

Michael Carrick's pending appointment as Manchester United manager has been met with scepticism by some ex-players of the club

Michael Carrick will have no trouble shrugging off any criticism directed at him by the likes of Roy Keane, according to former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand. Carrick is poised to put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the club as their new permanent manager, with the option to extend his tenure into a third year.

Carrick maintained his impressive run as interim boss with a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. United are now assured of a third-place finish in the Premier League, which seemed little more than a distant dream when the club parted ways with Ruben Amorim in January and handed Carrick the reins on a temporary basis.

Despite Carrick's outstanding form at the helm of United, he has faced reservations over taking the role full-time from the likes of Keane and Gary Neville. Ferdinand, however, is adamant that such criticism will not faze the 44-year-old.

"I'll tell you one thing, Michael Carrick will not give a s**t what Gary Neville or Roy Keane says," the ex-England star said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.

"When he was a player, any comments, any negativity, good or bad comments, were like water off a duck's back. He just brushed it aside, he knew what he was good at, knew what he wanted to do and would just carry on with it and I don't think he'll be any different as a manager."

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Keane has consistently voiced his opposition to Carrick landing the permanent role ever since the former United midfielder took over as interim manager.

"I'm guessing the remit for him was to get in the Champions League, they've done that but there's still huge problems ahead," Keane recently said on Sky Sports when asked whether Carrick merits the position.

"Was he still the best option out there? We obviously don't know what other managers they spoke to. But the fact he was winning football matches...but still huge problems at United. Huge problems.

"He's managed Middlesbrough previously, he's had spells at United. He's got the opportunity and good luck to him, if he does well fantastic. I've got my doubts but we'll wait and see. It seems like a safe decision from the club's point of view because their previous decision backfired on them."

Speaking in January, the ex-Republic of Ireland captain said he'd choose Newcastle boss Eddie Howe as United's next permanent manager.

Soon after he claimed "there are better options out there" for his former club, adding: "So everyone else can get giddy about Man United being third in the league but I don't. I'm not one of them. I don't get all excited for stuff like that."

Neville has also raised his reservations. Speaking ahead of United's 3-2 victory over Forest, he said: "He's done a fantastic job as a caretaker and interim, but a permanent manager comes with a different sort of pressure – and a different level of expectations."

Reflecting on Carrick's position last month, the former United defender said: "I was adamant, four months ago, before Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], Ruud [Van Nistelrooy] and Michael were all interviewed for the role: please, whatever happens, do not appoint any of them at the end of the season. Bring one in now, stabilise the club, then put someone world-class in who has a great coaching pedigree."

Paul Scholes, another of Carrick's former team-mates, has also voiced his concerns. He said: "I don't know. It's not straightforward, is it? From what's happening now - just playing Premier League games - to the start of next season is a totally different challenge.

"Suddenly, you're playing three cup competitions, playing Saturday-Wednesday. That's a big deal for him in terms of getting the job next year, and he should maybe question himself seriously about whether he wants it."