Rooney says Carrick gave “taste of what it was like under Sir Alex Ferguson”

• Wayne Rooney says United’s young supporters felt a throwback atmosphere in Michael Carrick’s first match, and he hopes it lasts through the final 16 games.
• United beat Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford, with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.
• Rooney called it the “best performance” in a long time, and pointed to effort, shape, and simple tweaks.

Wayne Rooney says Manchester United’s younger fans got a “taste of what it was like under Sir Alex Ferguson” during their 2-0 win over Manchester City, and he hopes it is a sign of what is coming under Michael Carrick.

Carrick, 44, took charge as interim head coach on Tuesday until the end of the season after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal. United then delivered a high-energy display at a loud Old Trafford, with Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scoring to secure a deserved win over Pep Guardiola’s side.

Rooney, speaking on BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, said the crowd reacted to Carrick’s presence and touchline manner. “I wasn’t at the stadium, I was in the BBC studios, but did you see the difference in the stadium? Even when he [Michael Carrick] walked out before the game and he’s trying to pump the crowd up,” Rooney said on the latest edition of BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show.

“I think the fans felt something yesterday. They got a taste of what it was like under Sir Alex Ferguson. Some of the young fans who have been through a terrible time over the last 10, 13 years, really, since Fergie left.

“They haven’t witnessed a team perform that well. I’ve been part of some of those teams as well. I’ve played in some of them.

“They haven’t witnessed a team perform that well, with that energy and that belief in their fighting and being brave with the ball, but also being resilient and tough to play against.

“Them fans felt that yesterday and hopefully that’s a glimpse of what we’ve got coming in the next 16 games.”

After a first half without a goal, Mbeumo, back from Africa Cup of Nations duty, broke the deadlock, and Dorgu doubled the lead 11 minutes later. Rooney said the performance level stood out, and he framed Carrick’s impact as clear choices rather than complexity.

Rooney said it was the “best performance” he had seen from United in a long time.

“I think what Michael has done with the team wasn’t rocket science. It was a simple tweak in terms of what he’d done in terms of formation,” the former England striker said.

“I think everyone’s been talking a lot about Ruben Amorim’s formation in the back three and how it suited Man United as well.

“So he changed that, but if you go back to the last podcast we’d done when I spoke about what United need to do, it’s simple really, it’s run and work hard. It was so refreshing to see the players do that.

“I thought Amad and Dorgu on the wings were excellent, the work-rate they put in to help the full-backs out and they got into a compact shape, which I spoke about, and hit Man City on the break.”

Rooney also contrasted the display with recent performances, and said the shift was visible in the stands and on the pitch.

Amorim was dismissed on 5 January and Rooney said United’s win over City was “night and day from what we’ve been seeing” under the Portuguese.

Rooney added: “You can feel it from the fans as well, the difference in energy from the team, the confidence, the belief, the composure on the ball at the right times.

“It was night and day from what we’ve been seeing, so it was such a good day. It reminded me, when we talk about Man United’s DNA, that was it…

“Work hard, run for your team-mate, get back into shape, be hard to play against – [and then] when you get an opportunity run forward.”