Wayne Rooney has endorsed Michael Carrick as the ideal interim manager for Manchester United, calling him the “right choice at this moment in time” to stabilize the club during a turbulent period. His comments, made on the BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, highlight Carrick’s appointment as caretaker head coach until the season’s end, succeeding Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United confirmed Carrick’s role on Tuesday, with Rooney—a former teammate who played 366 games alongside him and won five Premier League titles—arguing that the lack of available top managers made Carrick the obvious choice. “I don’t think there are any top, top managers available at the minute,” Rooney said, emphasizing that Carrick’s deep club connection positions him to “steady the ship” amid United’s struggles.
Carrick, a 44-year-old club legend with 464 appearances over 12 years and a brief caretaker stint in 2021, brings experience from managing Middlesbrough between 2022 and 2025. Rooney noted that while Carrick appears calm, he is fully focused and capable of handling the pressure, stating, “He can have fun as well, but make no mistake, he’d be going in there now with full focus.”
The challenge is immediate, as Manchester United sits seventh in the Premier League after winning just one of their last six games. Carrick’s first test comes on Saturday with a high-stakes match against Manchester City at Old Trafford, a fixture Rooney described as “massive” for both the club and Carrick personally.
Rooney expressed hope that Carrick could bring calmness and grit to the game, though he acknowledged the difficulty against a top team like City. “It is going to be very difficult,” he said, “but as we’ve seen over the years, Manchester United if they do turn up can win the game.”
To bolster his efforts, Carrick has assembled a backroom staff including former England assistant Steve Holland as his number two, along with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion. Holland, who worked under Gareth Southgate during England’s 2018 World Cup semifinal run and Euro finals, is praised for his tactical organization. Rooney recalled, “Steve Holland did all the training… I think what they will bring is an organization to Manchester United.”
The interim appointment leaves questions about a permanent manager for the summer, with Rooney suggesting names like Xabi Alonso—who recently left Real Madrid—and England manager Thomas Tuchel. “Tuchel is the one for me,” Rooney said, citing Tuchel’s Premier League experience and trophy-winning record as assets for United’s future.
Overall, Carrick’s return symbolizes a strategic nod to United’s past, aiming to restore order and performance during a critical phase. With Rooney’s endorsement underscoring confidence in Carrick’s temperament and familiarity, the club looks to navigate this transition, starting with Saturday’s pivotal match against City.
