Wayne Rooney knows who he wants to become Manchester United's next manager and has sent a clear message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Wayne Rooney has claimed that Michael Carrick should "100 per cent" be given the permanent Manchester United head coach position. Carrick has done an incredible job since taking over on an interim basis and now has Rooney's full backing despite some big-name managers being linked with the post.
Rooney, 40, made his position crystal clear on Carrick after United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday. The Reds were once again good value for the three points at Old Trafford, with Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all scoring to tighten their grip on a top-four place.
It's a result that has boosted United's prospects of achieving a Champions League comeback, with Chelsea and Liverpool also slipping up over the weekend. The Red Devils are currently third, five points above fifth-place Liverpool and six clear of Chelsea in sixth. As England are set to receive an extra spot in Europe's elite club tournament for next season, United require a maximum of 18 points from their remaining eight fixtures to guarantee a top-five finish.
Should Carrick clinch the deal and deliver United's Champions League return, he would hand himself a solid opportunity of securing the role on a permanent basis in the summer, despite links to Oliver Glasner, Roberto de Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann, Andoni Iraola and Luis Enrique.
And Rooney is no doubt about who should get the job. Speaking following Sunday's win over Villa, Rooney was questioned about whether Carrick ought to be awarded the head coach position full-time this summer, to which the ex-United striker responded: "100 per cent he should."
He added: "I knew this was gonna happen with Michael Carrick, I know him very well, I know his character and personality," Rooney added. "It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love and he's give them that. We're seeing the players play with more quality, we're seeing them more together as a team and they look like a very strong team.
"So, for me, why would you change? You've got someone come in who's got I think the best win percentage of any Manchester United manager after that many games, so, for me, he has to get the job."
Carrick rejoined the Reds in mid-January on an interim arrangement until the end of the campaign and has enhanced the club's performances since his appointment. Indeed, the 44-year-old has claimed seven victories, drawn one and suffered one defeat from his nine fixtures after becoming the interim head coach and replacing Darren Fletcher.
Incorporating three fixtures he oversaw in interim charge during 2021, Carrick boasts a victory rate exceeding 70 per cent throughout his spell in the United dugout and is quickly establishing himself as the top candidate.
Even Roy Keane, who was initially against Carrick getting the job permanently, and predicted earlier in the season that United were 'not ready' to crack the top four, has changed his tune.
The ex-United midfielder is now convinced his former side will be playing in Europe's elite competition next season. He told Sky Sports on Sunday: "Yeah, I think certs for it. No distractions, just focus on the games, get some recovery.
"Villa looked a bit flat today [after playing in Europa League on Thursday], United in the second half were pretty comfortable.
"If you give players like Bruno [Fernandes] time and space, you're going to be punished. I think United are absolute certs for that Champions League spot."
Carrick and United are next in action when they make the trip to Bournemouth on Friday. A victory for the Reds would secure them at minimum a nine-point cushion above sixth position going into the March international break.
soudklmos
23
to me, carrick is a right person to leads Man UTD as a permanent manager.