ENNISKILLEN’s Kieran McKenna has received the backing of two Manchester United legends as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick, with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt indicating they would approve of his appointment.

The former Manchester United midfielders discussed potential candidates for the club’s managerial position on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, placing McKenna’s name in the conversation as speculation continues over Carrick’s future.

In the mix

McKenna, who enjoyed a successful spell in charge of Ipswich Town, is also attracting interest from Scottish giants Celtic as he weighs up his next move in football.

He has recently agreed to take up a new role as a UEFA technical observer, giving him an opportunity to continue developing his knowledge of the game while considering his next managerial challenge.

However, the prospect of a return to management could prove tempting for McKenna, whose reputation has continued to grow since his departure from Ipswich.

Speculation mounts

Scholes and Butt’s backing will add further intrigue to the speculation surrounding McKenna, who previously worked on Manchester United’s first-team coaching staff before embarking on his managerial career.

His experience at Old Trafford, combined with his impressive achievements at Ipswich, could make him an appealing option should United decide to make another change in the dugout.