Rio Ferdinand Slams ‘Unbelievable Disrespect’ Towards Michael Carrick After Manchester United’s Arsenal Win

Rio Ferdinand has launched a passionate defence of Michael Carrick after Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Arsenal, accusing fellow club legends of showing “unbelievable disrespect” towards the interim head coach.

United’s win at the Emirates Stadium was one of their most impressive performances of the season and followed an equally eye-catching derby victory over Manchester City the previous weekend. Yet despite back-to-back wins against the teams sitting first and second in the Premier League table, Carrick has been publicly told by some former United stars that he should not be considered for the job on a permanent basis.

That stance has not gone down well with Ferdinand.

A statement win at the Emirates

United arrived in north London knowing they would need to suffer at times against an Arsenal side that has been dominant at home this season. That proved to be the case early on, as the hosts controlled possession and pinned Carrick’s side deep inside their own half.

The pressure eventually told midway through the first half when Arsenal took the lead through a cruel moment for Lisandro Martínez, whose clearance deflected into his own net. It felt like a familiar story for United, who have often struggled to recover after conceding first this season.

However, Carrick’s team responded with composure and belief. Bryan Mbeumo levelled the score after pouncing on a defensive mistake, rounding David Raya before finishing calmly into an empty net. The goal shifted the momentum and United finished the first half strongly, showing far more confidence on the ball.

That momentum carried into the second half. Just five minutes after the restart, Patrick Dorgu produced a moment of real quality, firing a stunning strike past Raya to give United the lead. Arsenal did manage to respond from a corner, dragging themselves back into the contest, but Carrick once again showed his impact from the bench.

Matheus Cunha, introduced as a substitute, struck late on with a superb effort to seal a famous 3-2 win and silence the Emirates crowd.

Neville and Keane dismiss Carrick’s chances

Despite the significance of the result, the post-match discussion quickly shifted away from United’s performance and towards Carrick’s long-term future.

After the win over Manchester City, Gary Neville had already stated that Carrick should not be appointed as permanent manager, regardless of results. Roy Keane then went even further following the Arsenal match.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane said:
“If Manchester United win every game until the end of the season, I still wouldn’t give him the job. Are we going to sit here and pretend that Michael Carrick can get United winning league titles?”

The comments sparked debate among fans, many of whom felt Carrick deserved at least to be judged on his work rather than dismissed outright.

Ferdinand hits back at “disrespect”

Rio Ferdinand was one of those unhappy with the narrative. Speaking on his podcast, the former defender made it clear that he believes Carrick has been treated unfairly.

“His first two games are Man City and Arsenal, and he’s gone and got six points,” Ferdinand said.
“And people are telling me that no matter what Michael Carrick does, he shouldn’t get an opportunity to manage Man United. Where are you people? The disrespect is unbelievable.

“For someone to say, ‘no matter what this person does, he doesn’t deserve to be given the keys to Manchester United’, on what grounds are you saying that? It’s mad talk.”

Ferdinand stressed that he is not claiming Carrick should already be handed the job, but he strongly disagreed with the idea that the former midfielder should be ruled out completely.

A balanced perspective is needed

There is no denying that two wins, even against elite opposition, do not automatically make someone the right choice to manage Manchester United long term. Carrick himself would likely accept that he still has a lot to prove, particularly over a longer run of games where consistency, squad management and handling pressure will all be tested.

However, Ferdinand’s point is that football decisions should be based on evidence and progress, not reputation alone. United have learned painful lessons over the past decade about relying on big names to fix deep-rooted problems. High-profile appointments have not guaranteed success, and stability has often been missing.

Carrick’s early impact has been clear. United look more balanced, more organised, and more dangerous in transition. Players such as Dorgu and Cunha have thrived under his system, while the team has shown resilience after setbacks — something that has been lacking at times this season.

What comes next for Carrick?

It remains far too early to decide who should be Manchester United’s next permanent manager. There may well be experienced coaches available in the summer with strong track records, and the club will carefully assess all options.

But equally, dismissing Carrick outright sends the wrong message. His work deserves fair evaluation over time, not instant rejection because he is a former player or lacks a long managerial CV at the top level.

For now, United supporters can simply enjoy the positivity around the club. Wins over Manchester City and Arsenal have lifted morale, improved league position, and restored belief among players and fans alike.

Whether Carrick is the long-term answer or not will be decided later. What is clear, as Ferdinand passionately argued, is that he deserves respect — and a genuine chance to show what he can do before being written off.