Wayne Rooney has expressed his willingness to join Michael Carrick’s backroom team at Manchester United. The Red Devils are set to name Carrick as the club’s interim boss until the end of the season. The 44-year-old initially met with the United hierarchy last week after Ruben Amorim’s departure, and has since emerged as the frontrunner ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the temporary role. With Carrick’s appointment expected to be rubber-stamped today, his former colleague and United icon Rooney has volunteered his services to assist the ex-Middlesbrough manager.
When questioned about potentially joining Carrick’s coaching setup, he told the BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show: “Of course I would. It’s a no-brainer. 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.” Both Solskjaer and Carrick were regarded as the prime candidates to guide United through the remainder of the campaign, following the club’s strategy to secure an interim solution before appointing a long-term successor to Amorim in the summer.
Ex-United boss Solskjaer had previously been heavily tipped for the position and participated in two rounds of interviews. However, his potential return was blocked after several players approached club hierarchy expressing their opposition to Solskjaer’s comeback.
Sources suggest the squad made their lack of faith in the Norwegian abundantly clear, instead backing Carrick – who has been without a position since departing Middlesbrough last June – to guide them through the remaining fixtures.
Wayne Rooney has endorsed Carrick as an “great fit” for the position. “Whether Michael goes in or if that’s Fletch [Darren Fletcher] or John O’Shea or myself, it needs people who know the football club,” remarked Rooney, who recently holidayed alongside Carrick and his family in Barbados.
“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.
“The club has lost its identity, it’s lost that family feel, if you like. Whether it’s Ole [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] or Michael, this is an opportunity to bring that back, bring the spirit of Manchester United back to the football club.”
Darren Fletcher had stepped into temporary command for United’s 2-2 stalemate at Burnley on Wednesday and the 2-1 FA Cup loss to Brighton on Sunday. Yet he’s now poised to hand over to Carrick, whose debut from the touchline will arrive during this weekend’s Manchester derby against City.
