Man United boss Michael Carrick reacts to Roy Keane’s criticism of his wife

Michael Carrick has shrugged off Roy Keane ’s criticism of his wife and said the words of the former Manchester United players-turned-pundits won’t bother him.

The new United head coach faces Manchester City in his first game in charge on Saturday to a background of noise from some of his former teammates.

And former captain Keane had said Carrick’s wife Lisa had a “big mouth” as he belatedly responded to a tweet she posted in 2014.

But Carrick shrugged it off. “It didn’t bother me,” he said. “They’re not putting more pressure on me. I don’t feel that. There are plenty of opinions around, some positive, some not too much. It’s totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on.

“I know what we want to improve on, how we want to work with the players. There’s a lot that can be said, it’s the way of the world.

“I’m not going to pay too much attention to that. For me, the players and staff it’s a focus on how we’re going to succeed.”

Carrick, who had a three-year spell in charge of Middlesbrough, said he was delighted to get the chance to manage United for the rest of the season.

Michael Carrick has been appointed as interim head coach at Manchester United until the end of the season (AP)

He added: “It’s fantastic to be here, a great feeling to be in this position. I’ve had different roles and fallen in love with the club.

“I’m fully aware of the position I’m in. I’m eager to succeed, we’ve got a big job to do.”