Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has made a public offer to join Michael Carrick's backroom team at Old Trafford, as the club prepares to confirm Carrick as their new interim manager.
Rooney's Public Offer to Return to Old Trafford
Speaking on the latest episode of his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England captain confirmed he would accept a role assisting his former teammate without hesitation. "Of course I would. It's a no-brainer," Rooney stated. He was quick to clarify that he was not actively seeking a position, but emphasised his readiness to help. "I'm not begging a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would."
Rooney, who recently holidayed with Carrick and his family in Barbados, stressed the importance of the impending managerial appointment. He argued that the club needs individuals with a deep understanding of Manchester United's culture to restore its identity. "It needs people who know the football club, who care for the club and understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player," he said, also mentioning former players Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea as potential candidates.
Senior Players' Intervention Seals Carrick's Appointment
The path for Carrick's return was reportedly cleared after a significant intervention from the Manchester United squad. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been the clear favourite for the interim role and was interviewed twice. However, the situation changed dramatically when a group of senior players approached the club's hierarchy.
It is understood these players expressed a lack of confidence in Solskjaer returning for a second spell. Instead, they voiced strong support for Michael Carrick, who has been out of management since leaving Middlesbrough in June last year. This player power ultimately swayed the decision in Carrick's favour, pushing him ahead of Solskjaer in the race for the temporary position.
Restoring the 'Spirit' of Manchester United
Rooney believes the appointment of a club legend like Carrick represents a crucial opportunity to reconnect the team with its core values. He lamented the current state of affairs at his former club, stating it had lost its sense of family. "The club has lost its identity, it's lost that family feel, if you like," Rooney commented.
He sees Carrick's potential tenure, which is set to be confirmed on Tuesday and will run until the summer, as a chance to instil a much-needed change in atmosphere. "Whether it's Ole or Michael, this is an opportunity to bring that back, bring the spirit of Manchester United back to the football club," Rooney concluded, endorsing his former colleague as a "great fit" for the challenging role.
The club's plan is for an interim manager to steer the team for the remainder of the season, following Ruben Amorim's departure, before appointing a permanent successor in the summer.
