'Calm down!' – Keane urges MU fans not to get carried away with Carrick

Roy Keane has urged Manchester United's supporters not to get carried away after Michael Carrick masterminded a derby win over Manchester City, saying the former midfielder should be judged after a few months at the helm.

Carrick's second stint in charge of the Red Devils – after a three-game spell in 2021 – began in dream fashion on Saturday as United beat City 2-0 at a buoyant Old Trafford.

Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu got the job done, while United also hit the woodwork twice and had three goals disallowed for offside.

United accumulated 2.03 expected goals (xG) to City's 0.45. Only against Brighton in August (2.3) and Newcastle United in November (2.24) have Pep Guardiola's men given up a greater xGA figure in the Premier League this season, while Saturday's -1.58 xG differential against City was their greatest in the competition this season.

Before the game, Keane was highly critical of United's approach to hiring former players as coaches, quipping that Darren Fletcher – who served as interim boss for their previous two games – could not dress himself without asking former manager Alex Ferguson for advice.

And speaking in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports after full-time, Keane joked: "Give him what he wants! Sign the contract! 

"Let's judge it over the next few months. The key for him is trying to get momentum in the team. 

"He is an English coach; the English media will be pushing for him. He has done well today, but let's see how he does.

"They've won one game! The last manager won more than one game. He's only been there three days."

While impressed by United's performance, which came after Carrick stuck with the four-man backline adopted by Fletcher, Keane pointed out that they were fortunate to keep 11 men on the field following Diogo Dalot's high challenge on Jeremy Doku in the 11th minute.

"Darren Fletcher changed the formation, but there were players missing," Keane noted.

"Michael Carrick has come into the dream scenario. Everyone is available, City at home, they've been a little bit off it, he could have had a man sent off. 

"Good timing and a bit of luck, and they have made the most of it. Take nothing away from him – but everyone just calm down."

United visit Premier League leaders Arsenal next Sunday, with City now requiring a favour from their neighbours to revive their flagging title hopes.