Rooney Endorses Carrick for Manchester United Coaching Role

Wayne Rooney has indicated that rejoining Manchester United as a coach would be an obvious choice if Michael Carrick is appointed as the caretaker manager and he is invited to be part of Carrick’s staff.

Carrick, a former teammate of Rooney at both Manchester United and the England national team, has become the frontrunner to lead the team at Old Trafford until the end of the season following the dismissal of former manager Ruben Amorim on January 5.

In the interim, Darren Fletcher, another former Scotland midfielder who played alongside Rooney, has been tasked with overseeing first-team responsibilities after Amorim’s exit. Fletcher was at the helm during the Premier League draw against Burnley and the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.

Club officials aim to finalize the caretaker appointment by the time players return to training on Wednesday.

In a recent episode of the BBC podcast “The Wayne Rooney Show,” Rooney emphasized that Carrick would be an excellent fit for the managerial role and expressed his willingness to assist in any way necessary.

“Whether it’s Michael, Fletcher, John O’Shea, or myself, the club needs individuals who understand its ethos,” Rooney stated, referencing his recent holiday with Carrick and his family in Barbados.

“Roy Keane has shared his opinions, and I mentioned earlier in the season that Roy could be a candidate. Having people who genuinely care for the club and comprehend what it means to be a Manchester United player is crucial.

“The club has lost its identity and that familial atmosphere. This situation presents an opportunity to revive the spirit of Manchester United, whether it’s through Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] or Michael.

When asked if he would join Carrick’s coaching staff, Rooney affirmed, “Absolutely, it’s a no-brainer. I’m not pursuing a job here; just to clarify, if I were asked to step in, I would gladly do so. The priority is appointing the right manager.”

Carrick, 44, briefly served as Manchester United’s interim manager in 2021 after Solskjaer was let go, achieving two wins and one draw before handing over to Ralf Rangnick.

Rooney, who boasts 559 appearances and 253 goals in a successful 13-year tenure at United, winning five Premier League titles along with the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup, believes the current squad must demonstrate greater “hunger and desire,” akin to club legends Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.

Rooney remarked, “Michael is intelligent and has performed admirably at Middlesbrough. I believe he would be a solid choice. Currently, top managers with a successful track record are scarce.

“Should the decision come down to Ole or Michael, I favor Carrick. He embodies the club’s spirit and would be committed to the role. This is a chance for him to showcase his capabilities over the coming months and convince the owners that they don’t need to look elsewhere.

“This is an opportunity for whoever steps in now to prove their worth. If they cannot, then Thomas Tuchel emerges as a strong candidate.”