Rooney Says United Coaching Return Is ‘No Brainer’

• Wayne Rooney said it would be a “no-brainer” to rejoin Manchester United as a coach if Michael Carrick is appointed caretaker boss and asked him to join his staff.
• Carrick has emerged as the favourite to take charge until the end of the season after Ruben Amorim was sacked on 5 January, with Darren Fletcher currently in temporary charge.
• Rooney said United have “lost its identity” and that bringing back people who “know the football club” could restore the “spirit of Manchester United”.

Wayne Rooney has said he would return to Manchester United as part of Michael Carrick’s coaching staff if Carrick is appointed caretaker manager and offered him a role.

Rooney, speaking on BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, described the prospect as a “no-brainer” while stressing he was not campaigning for a job. Carrick, a former United midfielder and long-time team mate of Rooney, is reported to be the leading candidate to take charge at Old Trafford until the end of the season following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim on 5 January.

In the short term, former Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge. Fletcher has overseen the Premier League draw at Burnley and the 2 1 FA Cup defeat against Brighton, with United hoping to finalise a caretaker appointment before players return to training on Wednesday.

Rooney said Carrick would be a “great fit” and that he would be willing to support him if asked.

“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,” Rooney 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.

“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.

Asked directly if he would join Carrick’s staff, Rooney replied: “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.”

Carrick, 44, previously took temporary charge of United for three games after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed in 2021, winning two and drawing one, before leaving when Ralf Rangnick arrived as interim manager. Solskjaer has also held face-to-face discussions with the club about a return, according to the report.

Rooney, 40, remains close to Carrick and said the former Middlesbrough manager has the personality and knowledge United need in the current moment. He also said the current squad must show more “hunger and desire” and match the work rate associated with former United players such as Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“Whoever goes in now has an opportunity to go and show what they are worth. If not, Thomas Tuchel is the outstanding candidate.”