Cisse urges United board to keep Carrick until December

Former Premier League striker Djibril Cisse advised Manchester United to retain Michael Carrick as manager through the end of the winter transfer window.

Cisse, who played under Roy Keane at Sunderland, identified three specific factors that should guide the club's next move. First, he argued that Keane remains the strongest candidate for a future return to Old Trafford due to his historical status and leadership style. Second, he contended that the current squad's internal support for Carrick makes an immediate dismissal a poor strategic choice. Third, he suggested that a timeline extending to December would allow for better assessment of tactical progress.

Cisse praised Keane's direct approach to management, noting that their working relationship at Sunderland was built on mutual honesty rather than external reputation. "He didn't judge me on what he'd heard or what people might say about my character," Cisse said. "He trusted me, it worked very well, and I was very disappointed when he left." He described both men as individuals who state their views clearly and move forward once a point is made, a dynamic he valued during his time at the club.

The former France international addressed the pressure on Carrick by citing visible backing from senior players, specifically naming Lisandro Martínez. Cisse questioned whether the manager is the primary source of the team's difficulties, pointing to Carrick's tactical understanding as a former player. "Is Michael Carrick the main problem? I'm not sure," Cisse stated. "He was a great player who knows the game, and as a coach he's shown he knows what he's talking about tactically." He noted that the club's long-standing instability creates an environment where owners and fans demand rapid results, a pace that often conflicts with the realities of football development.

Cisse emphasized the value of continuity in maintaining player relationships. He observed that senior figures in the dressing room have aligned with Carrick, a cohesion he described as intentional rather than accidental. "Sometimes continuity in the squad and the club is a good thing," he said. He recommended that the board exercise patience to allow the current setup to build momentum before making a final judgment on the season's trajectory.

The former Sunderland captain concluded that the current coaching staff possesses the necessary qualities to improve results. He urged the hierarchy to resist the urge for immediate turnover, suggesting that a defined period of stability would provide clearer data on the team's direction heading into the new year.