Gary Neville says Manchester United cannot keep Michael Carrick as head coach beyond the end of the season. Roy Keane has urged his former club to target the “best of the best”.

United sacked Ruben Amorim last week after 14 underwhelming and increasingly tense months. Darren Fletcher stepped in briefly before another former Red Devils midfielder took charge.

United appointed Carrick as head coach until the end of the season on Tuesday. He now prepares for Saturday’s highly anticipated Manchester derby against City at Old Trafford.

The 44-year-old faces the task of driving United toward Champions League qualification. Neville insists the club must not extend Carrick’s spell, even if results improve.

“I hope he does really well,” Neville said on Stick to Football. “But there cannot be any consideration of Michael keeping the job beyond this season, for him or for the club.

“If he wins every game, people will get carried away. Fans will believe again. United could reach the Champions League places, fifth or whatever. A good run could sway everyone.”

Neville believes the club must look elsewhere at the end of the campaign.

“At that point, you’ve got Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, and Carlo Ancelotti to consider,” he said.

Carlo Ancelotti is currently coaching Brazil (John Walton/PA)

“I’ve mentioned Ancelotti. He’s 66 and has probably the best job in the world right now. He may only have one club job left.

“If one person has patience, composure, and Premier League experience, it’s him.”

United handed Carrick the short-term role to give director of football Jason Wilcox time to run a full recruitment process.

Roy Keane suggested Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique as potential candidates. He pushed back when Neville questioned Enrique’s availability.

“But isn’t that bizarre?” Keane said. “We’re talking about options, yet you’re ruling people out. United should try to get the best of the best.”

Keane also addressed the pressure that comes with playing for United and the influence of outside noise, including from former players.

“I could name plenty of players from the last 20 or 30 years,” he said. “Some weren’t top players, but they handled the pressure.

“They rolled up their sleeves and played hundreds of games because they embraced it.

“Technically, you might think someone is lucky to play for United. But part of the challenge is dealing with the expectation to win every week.

“Carrick walks into that now. You embrace it.”