Rooney says he would join Carrick's backroom staff if asked

Wayne Rooney says he would be willing to return to Manchester United as part of Michael Carrick's backroom staff.

Carrick is likely to be appointed as the club's interim manager until the end of the season within the next 48 hours, Daily Mail Sport understands, after Ruben Amorim was axed a week ago.

It's understood the ex-United midfielder and the club are now finalising his coaching team, with Darren Fletcher likely to be handed a role after taking over the first-team on a caretaker basis.

Now Rooney, who was on holiday in Barbados with Carrick only last week, has thrown his own name into the hat. The 40-year-old admitted he wouldn't think twice about making an emotional return to Old Trafford.

Rooney has been out of work in a coaching sense since he was sacked by Plymouth Argyle with the club sitting bottom of the Championship in December 2024. He has also managed Birmingham City, Derby County and DC United.

When asked about the possibility of him joining Carrick on the touchline at Old Trafford, he said: 'Of course I would, it's a no-brainer. I was with him in Barbados last week, so obviously none of us saw this coming.

'Michael is a very clever person and he will command respect from the dressing room. I think what the club needs is people around the place, whether that's Michael, Fletch, John O'Shea or myself.

'Having people who know the club and care for the club and understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player. I think that's where the club needs to be.

'I've spoken about it earlier in the season, that the club's lost its family feel. I think it's a great opportunity to bring the spirit of Manchester United back into the football club.'

If he's eventually appointed, which he's likely to be before United's players return to training on Wednesday, then Carrick will have beaten Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the job.

Director of football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada spoke to both candidates but are said to have been more impressed by Carrick's interview.

The 44-year-old won five Premier League titles while at Old Trafford as a player before retiring in 2018. He had a short spell as caretaker manager at United after Solskjaer's departure and before the arrival of Ralf Rangnick.

He then moved on to Middlesbrough, who he guided from the relegation zone to the play-offs in his first season. In the following campaign he took Boro to the semi-finals of the League Cup. He was sacked last summer following a 10th placed finish.

Qualification for Europe is seen as essential for the remainder of the season and, after the defeat to Brighton sealed United's elimination from both domestic cups, Fletcher admitted the players had a lot to prove.

'This team is still good enough to achieve success this season but they have to dig deep,' the Scot said.

'Out of cups, only Premier League games to play for, the fans weren't happy at the end but they have got every right to air their grievances.

'It wasn't toxic but they showed their disappointment. I'm sure if the players show the right reaction, the fans will get behind them like they always do because there is still a lot to play for in the Premier League this season.'

United, who currently sit seventh in the Premier League, return to action when they host arch-rivals Man City next Saturday.