Roy Keane has reiterated his view that Michael Carrick shouldn't become Manchester United's next permanent head coach. Carrick, 44, has performed admirably since his return to Old Trafford in an interim capacity in mid-January, securing seven wins and one draw from his nine games at the helm.

This impressive spell has lifted United to third in the Premier League standings and positioned them favourably to clinch Champions League qualification for next season. However, despite the Reds enjoying a dramatic improvement in results since Carrick's arrival, Keane remains unconvinced he's the right candidate to lead the club on a full-time basis.

When questioned whether he would hand Carrick the United manager's role permanently in the summer, Keane told Sky Sports: "I wouldn't. I think there's better options out there.

"I think the games where he's come in and in terms of winning football matches, he's done a very good job. He's obviously simplified things but there's been no jeopardy in those games.

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"They've had three weeks to prepare for the matches. It's been good timing for him to go in there and he's done a very good job. I take my hat off to him and if he does get the job in the summer I'll say, 'Listen, good luck to you', but I think there are far better options out there for the next manager of Manchester United.

"If Carrick had been mentioned three months ago to be the next Manchester United manager you'd have been locked up. Everyone would've said he's not even in the reckoning but due to timing, he's got an opportunity and is doing a very good job.

"I think there's better options out there, simple as that but he's done a very good job. Manchester United are certain to qualify for the Champions League now but in making decisions [on the next manager] they will have to go and interview people and see what's out there."

The former United captain added: "Most players do like a caretaker manager. It's different when he comes in and has to make a decision about contracts, pre-season and medical staff, transfers and recruitment.

"His job in the last few months has been to win football matches. I know that's a manager's job anywhere but he's not had any distractions even as a manager. Of course he's done it and I give him credit for that but if he's given the job then there's different responsibilities for him.

"I think to manage Manchester United, you need someone a lot more experienced in terms of winning trophies, competing in Europe and he hasn't got that. He might have that in a few years, and he might be in the mix then, but the fact he's winning football matches at the moment of course gives him a great chance.

"All this chat that everyone loves him, I'm not so sure that was the case when they couldn't beat Newcastle with 10 men. He beat Aston Villa today - Aston Villa were absolutely shocking. The more I look at Aston Villa, the more I think they'll be missing out on Europe especially considering how bad they've been today.

"So the timing is good for United. For today's game Villa are on the back of a European game and United, because they were so bad at the start of the season, have no distractions. And remember this is the same group of players that finished 15th.

"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. I get excited when teams are winning trophies and competing week in, week out. So, I'm not one to get too giddy."

Meanwhile, ex-United forward Rooney shared a different opinion to Keane. Indeed, the 40-year-old told BBC 5 Live that he would give Carrick the full-time gig at the end of the season. "100 per cent he should," Rooney replied, when questioned if Carrick should be awarded the permanent role.

"I knew this was going happen with Michael Carrick, I know him very well, I know his character and personality," Rooney added. "It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love and he's give them that.

"We're seeing the players play with more quality, we're seeing them more together as a team and they look like a very strong team. So, for me, why would you change?

"You've got someone come in who's got I think the best win percentage of any Manchester United manager after that many games, so, for me, he has to get the job."

Keane and Rooney were speaking after United further bolstered their Champions League ambitions with a well-deserved 3-1 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday. The Reds opened the scoring just after the interval through Casemiro but were pulled level when Ross Barkley unleashed a powerful effort past Senne Lammens. However, Carrick's team demonstrated resilience and regained the advantage as Matheus Cunha found the net before Benjamin Sesko sealed the triumph with a late goal.

"We can enjoy winning," Carrick said post-match. "It's a good feeling and something we want to keep getting used to. We are keeping a lid on it and understanding where we are and what it takes to win games like today. We are in a good position at the moment but still a lot to play for."

United's next fixture sees them travel to Bournemouth on Friday evening. Victory at the Vitality Stadium would see them establish a six-point cushion over fourth-placed Aston Villa, move eight clear of Liverpool in fifth and extend their advantage to six points over sixth-placed Chelsea.

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