Wayne Rooney has thrown his weight behind Michael Carrick as Manchester United’s preferred caretaker manager, insisting it would be a “no-brainer” for him to return to Old Trafford as part of Carrick’s coaching staff if asked. The comments come amid another period of upheaval at the club, following the sacking of Ruben Amorim earlier this month.
United are searching for short-term stability after Amorim was dismissed on 5 January, with former midfielder Darren Fletcher currently overseeing first-team affairs. Fletcher has taken charge of a Premier League draw at Burnley and an FA Cup defeat by Brighton, but club executives are keen to have a clear caretaker structure in place before players return to training on Wednesday.
Carrick, 44, has emerged as the leading candidate to take the reins until the end of the season. A former United midfielder and trusted lieutenant during some of the club’s most successful years, Carrick is seen internally as someone who understands both the demands and the culture of the club. For Rooney, that understanding is crucial.
Speaking on the BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, United’s all-time leading scorer was emphatic in his support. He described Carrick as a “great fit” and stressed the importance of appointing people who know the club from the inside. “Whether Michael goes in or if that’s Darren Fletcher or John O’Shea or myself, it needs people who know the football club,” Rooney said.
Rooney believes United have lost more than just matches in recent seasons. He argues the club’s identity has eroded, along with the sense of unity that once defined life at Old Trafford. “The club has lost its identity, it’s lost that family feel,” he said. “This is an opportunity to bring that back, bring the spirit of Manchester United back to the football club.”
The former striker, who recently holidayed with Carrick in Barbados, was clear that his willingness to help should not be seen as a plea for employment. “I’m not begging a job here,” Rooney said. “If I was asked to go in, of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing.”
Carrick would not be stepping into completely unfamiliar territory. He briefly served as United’s caretaker manager in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal, overseeing three unbeaten matches before departing when Ralf Rangnick arrived as interim boss. That short spell included two wins and a draw, offering a glimpse of his calm, understated leadership style.
Since leaving United, Carrick has built his managerial credentials elsewhere, most notably at Middlesbrough, where Rooney believes he has done “a very good job.” According to Rooney, Carrick’s intelligence, tactical understanding and emotional connection to United make him a standout option in a market lacking obvious elite candidates.
“You are not seeing any top managers available at this moment in time who through history have been successful and won trophies,” Rooney said. “Do you go back to Ole or Michael? It looks like one of those two.”
Solskjaer, who guided United to a second-place league finish in 2021, has reportedly held face-to-face talks with the club about a potential return. But Rooney’s preference is clear. He feels Carrick “lives and breathes” Manchester United and would relish the chance to prove himself over the coming months.
For Rooney, whoever takes charge now faces both an opportunity and a test. He believes the current squad must rediscover “hunger and desire,” echoing the workrate and commitment shown by past icons such as Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. The caretaker period, he argues, should be about re-establishing standards as much as chasing results.
If Carrick is appointed, the coming months could shape not only United’s season but his managerial future. Impress, and he could convince the owners there is no need to look elsewhere. Fail, and the club may turn to an experienced figure such as Thomas Tuchel in the summer. Either way, with Rooney ready to help, United’s next chapter may be written by familiar faces seeking to restore a lost identity.
