Wayne Rooney Champions Michael Carrick for Permanent Manchester United Manager Position
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has publicly endorsed interim manager Michael Carrick for the permanent role at Old Trafford, arguing that his former teammate provides the essential stability and understanding the club desperately needs.
Calming Influence and Club Knowledge Highlighted
Rooney, United's all-time leading goalscorer, emphasised that Carrick's appointment makes logical sense following a series of managerial changes. Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney stated: "We've been there and tried different managers – Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim – and for me Carrick makes sense."
He elaborated that this endorsement is not based on friendship but on Carrick's tangible qualities: "Not because we've played together and we're friends, but because he is a real calming influence. Having someone there who knows the club and cares for the club makes a big difference. Michael is managing the whole squad and managing them well."
Impressive Interim Tenure and Squad Impact
Carrick assumed the caretaker position in early January after Ruben Amorim's dismissal and has overseen a remarkable start. His tenure began with a stunning 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford, followed by a 3-2 win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Under his guidance, United have secured four wins and a draw in five matches, propelling the team into the Premier League's top four. Rooney highlighted Carrick's broader influence beyond the starting lineup, noting positive impacts on players like Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, Harry Maguire, and Lisandro Martinez.
"The players who are starting, they're fine you don't have to manage them, but the other lads – we've seen the impact on Cunha, Sesko, Maguire, Martinez. He's having an impact on the whole squad and football club," Rooney explained.
Critique of External Appointments and Call for Internal Promotion
Rooney criticised the club's tendency to overlook internal candidates in favour of external hires, suggesting this often leads to instability. "Sometimes we're quick to overlook what's right there in front of you and say we've got this manager from Turkey or from Spain, who is going to come in and do this, when they have no interest in the football club," he remarked.
He concluded by asserting that Carrick could establish the necessary foundations for long-term success: "At least with Carrick this will give the foundations for the club to keep building, when in two or three years' time the infrastructure will be back at the club."
Rooney's advocacy positions Carrick as a strong contender to bring much-needed continuity and passion to Manchester United's managerial seat, leveraging his proven track record and intrinsic connection to the club's culture.
