Manchester United is currently reshaping its team after sacking Ruben Amorim and appointing Michael Carrick as caretaker manager until the end of the 2025-26 season. And, Red Devils great Wayne Rooney is optimistic about Carrick’s reign.
Wayne Rooney Backs Ex-Manchester United Teammate To Shine
During a recent appearance on “The Wayne Rooney Show” podcast, Rooney stated that hiring Carrick was arguably the best decision his former club made under the current circumstances.
“It is probably the obvious choice really, because I don’t think there are any top managers available at the minute. I think it is the right choice at this moment in time. It is a difficult task of course. Where Manchester United are at the minute is not a good place and Michael has to go in and steady the ship,” Rooney commented.
Rooney, who played alongside Carrick 366 times between 2006 and 2017 at the Red Devils, also said the former five-time Premier League-winning midfielder is focused on the task.
“Michael’s great fun. He is a great character, but don’t be fooled by how calm he looks. He can have fun as well, but make no mistake, he’d be going in there now with full focus,” the ex-Derby County, Birmingham City, Plymouth Argyle, and D.C. The United boss added.
Carrick, 44, previously coached Manchester United three times while serving as the interim boss in late 2021, guiding them to two wins and a draw. He was also Middlesbrough’s head coach between October 2022 and June 2025, during which he won 63 of their 136 games.
After failing to win either of their two matches under interim coach Darren Fletcher, the Old Trafford outfit will face Manchester City in a home league clash on Saturday, Jan. 17.
READ MORE: Manchester United Growing Confident of Signing Player in Summer
“It is a massive game for the club (and) for Michael. I think what he will do is bring a bit of calmness, a bit of grit to the game, which I think is needed. It is going to be very difficult,” Rooney replied when asked to offer his thoughts on the upcoming Manchester derby.
Rooney concluded, “Manchester City are obviously a top team and it will be difficult to get anything out of it even at Old Trafford. But, as we’ve seen over the years… Manchester United, if they do turn up, can win the game and hopefully that happens on Saturday.”
Manchester United are seventh with 32 points from 21 Premier League outings this term.
