Rooney Backs Carrick! But Will He REALLY Save the Team?!

Wayne Rooney has thrown his weight behind Michael Carrick as the interim manager to guide Manchester United through their current turmoil. Following the sudden departure of Ruben Amorim, Carrick, formerly at the helm of Middlesbrough, has stepped in to steady a ship that's been listing badly. Rooney, no stranger to Old Trafford or Carrick himself, having shared the pitch with him 366 times and lifted five Premier League trophies together, didn't mince words on his BBC show, "The Wayne Rooney Show."

Rooney Backs Carrick! But Will He REALLY Save the ...

Rooney sees Carrick as the "right choice at this moment in time," and honestly, it's hard to disagree. "It is probably the obvious choice really because I don't think there are any top, top managers available at the minute," Rooney said. Fair point. The current managerial market isn't exactly overflowing with readily available, world-class talent. "I think it is the right choice at this moment in time. It is a difficult task of course. Where Manchester United are at the minute is not a good place and Michael has to go in and steady the ship."

Carrick's temporary gig has, naturally, sparked furious debate about who might take the reins long-term. Names like Xabi Alonso, fresh from his Real Madrid exit, and even England manager Thomas Tuchel have been bandied about. Rooney has his own opinion on that front. "Alonso did incredible at Leverkusen and I think you have more chance of him sitting and waiting and hoping with [Liverpool manager Arne] Slot. Tuchel is the one for me. He knows the Premier League, has won trophies. He is doing well at England. Time will tell." Tuchel to United? It's a tantalizing prospect, to be sure.

Carrick is no stranger to the United hot seat, even if it was just briefly. He previously took charge for three games back in 2021, managing two wins and a draw. Not a bad start. And Rooney, who knows Carrick's personality perhaps better than most, offered some insight into the man behind the calm exterior. "Michael's great fun. He is a great character, but don't be fooled by how calm he looks," Rooney chuckled. "He can have fun as well, but make no mistake, he'd be going in there now with full focus."

United's current position, languishing in seventh place in the Premier League after only one win in their last six matches, speaks volumes about the challenge ahead. Carrick's immediate baptism of fire? A Manchester derby against City at Old Trafford this Saturday. Talk about pressure. "It is a massive game for the club, for Michael," Rooney acknowledged. "I think what he will do is bring a bit of calmness, a bit of grit to the game, which I think is needed." He added, "It is going to be very difficult, Manchester City are obviously a top team and it will be difficult to get anything out of it even at Old Trafford. But as we've seen over the years, Manchester United if they do turn up can win the game and hopefully that happens on Saturday."

Adding some serious experience to his backroom staff, Carrick has brought in Steve Holland, formerly with England, after his departure from Yokohama F. Marinos. Holland's tactical nous, which Rooney remembers from his time with the national team ("I was really impressed him tactically at England, how he worked and his organisation."), could prove invaluable. The team also includes Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion.