Wayne Rooney Reflects on Michael Carrick’s Impact at Manchester United

Michael Carrick has achieved 63 victories in 136 matches during his tenure as Middlesbrough’s manager.

Wayne Rooney recently expressed that Manchester United’s younger supporters experienced a glimpse of the atmosphere reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson’s era during the club’s 2-0 triumph over Manchester City. He remains optimistic that this performance signals a brighter future under Michael Carrick, who was appointed interim head coach on Tuesday until the season’s conclusion, succeeding the dismissed Ruben Amorim.

Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu secured a well-deserved victory against Pep Guardiola’s team at a vibrant Old Trafford.

Rooney, a five-time Premier League champion alongside Carrick at United, noted a marked difference in the crowd’s energy under the leadership of his former teammate. “Although I was in the BBC studios and not at the stadium, the atmosphere was palpable. Even when Michael Carrick walked out before the game, he seemed to invigorate the crowd,” Rooney stated during the latest episode of his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.

He further remarked, “The fans experienced something special; it gave them a taste of the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson. Many young fans have endured a challenging period over the last decade or so since Ferguson’s departure and have not witnessed a performance of that caliber. They felt the energy, belief, and resilience that our teams once embodied. This is hopefully a sign of what lies ahead in the following 16 matches.”

Following a goalless first half, Mbeumo—fresh from his duties at the Africa Cup of Nations—opened the scoring for United, with Dorgu adding a second goal just 11 minutes later.

Rooney characterized the performance as the best he has witnessed from United in recent times. “What Michael accomplished with the team wasn’t overly complex. It was a straightforward adjustment to the formation. There has been significant discussion regarding Ruben Amorim’s back-three setup and its suitability for Manchester United. Carrick altered that approach, and as I mentioned in our previous podcast, the fundamentals for United are simple: hard work and effort. It was refreshing to see the players commit to that. Amad and Dorgu excelled on the wings, providing crucial support for the full-backs while maintaining a compact team shape that allowed them to counter City effectively.”

After Amorim’s dismissal on January 5, Rooney emphasized that United’s victory over City represented a stark contrast to their previous performances under the Portuguese coach. He added, “The energy from the team, the confidence, and the composure on the ball have all improved dramatically. It felt like a significant shift from what we had been witnessing; it was a great day that reminded me of Manchester United’s core values—hard work, teamwork, and resilience, coupled with the willingness to exploit opportunities when they arise.”