Manchester United legend Rooney open to return alongside Carrick

Wayne Rooney has said a return to Manchester United as part of the coaching staff would be a “no-brainer” if Michael Carrick is appointed interim manager, suggesting that Roy Keane could also play a role in helping restore the club’s identity.

United are closing in on naming Carrick as interim head coach until the end of the season following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, with widespread reports suggesting an announcement will be made within the next 48 hours.

The club hope Carrick will be in place to oversee training at Carrington on Wednesday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have held talks with senior figures Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox on Saturday, but Carrick now appears to be the preferred option.

Darren Fletcher has taken temporary charge of a Premier League draw at Burnley and an FA Cup third-round defeat at home to Brighton.

Speaking on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney stressed the importance of appointing figures who understand the club’s culture.

“Whether Michael goes in or if that’s Fletch or John O’Shea or myself, it needs people who know the football club,” he said. “Roy Keane, I know Roy has had his opinions, I said about Roy going in earlier in the season. Having people who know the club, who care for the club and understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player, that’s where the club needs to be.”

Rooney believes United have drifted away from their traditional values and sees this moment as a chance to reset. “The club has lost its identity, it’s lost that family feel, if you like. 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.”

Asked whether he would join Carrick’s coaching staff, Rooney made his position clear, revealing the pair were recently on holiday together. “Of course I would. It’s a no-brainer,” he said. “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. Appointing the manager is the most important thing.”

Carrick previously worked as a coach under both Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer before taking a brief spell as caretaker manager in 2021, during which he oversaw wins against Villarreal and Arsenal and a draw away to Chelsea.

He has been out of work since leaving Middlesbrough last summer, but Rooney believes his former team-mate would be well-suited to the role.

“Michael is a very clever person and has done a very good job at Middlesbrough,” Rooney said. “I think it would be a really good fit. You are not seeing any top managers available at this moment in time who through history have been successful and won trophies.”

He added that the choice appears to be between familiar faces. “Do you go back to Ole or Michael? It looks like one of those two. Michael Carrick knows the club, he would be a great fit. He lives and breathes that club, that’s what the club needs.”

Rooney feels the interim role would give Carrick a chance to stake a long-term claim. “Michael loves the football club and would step in to do a job if he can.

“It’s an opportunity to go and show what he can do over the next few months and make the owners look at him and say we don’t need to go elsewhere.”