Wayne Rooney has called on Manchester United to appoint Michael Carrick as the club’s permanent manager.
Rooney made the call after United’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, a result that kept the team third in the Premier League.
Carrick has overseen seven wins in nine matches since he was named head coach for the remainder of the season in January.
Across his spells in charge, only Sven-Goran Eriksson, Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini have recorded more consecutive home wins at the start of their first Premier League managerial job.
United are expected to assess their options before deciding on a permanent manager in the summer. Minority owner Jim Ratcliffe declined to comment on Carrick’s future when asked about it in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, although he said the coach was doing a good job.
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Rooney, however, believes Carrick should be handed the role permanently.
“100% he should [get the job],” Rooney told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. I know him very well. I know his character and his personality.
“It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place. The players needed some love, and he has given them that.
“We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. Why would you change?”
Carrick declined to be drawn into Rooney’s comments and said he was not paying attention to the discussions about his future.
“There’s not that much noise, is there?” he said. “I don’t mean Wayne. I just mean in general.
“It’s only noise if you listen to it. It doesn’t affect me one bit, to be honest.”
Carrick said he had spoken with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox after the win over Villa but insisted his focus was on the next match.
“I’m in this position at the moment, doing the best I can, and I’m loving it, obviously,” Carrick said.
“But whatever’s going to happen is going happen. It’s all pretty calm.
“We can definitely enjoy the win and look forward to Friday night. But other than that, that’s all I’m thinking about really.”
United captain Bruno Fernandes also reached a milestone in the match after providing two assists.
His corner was headed in by Casemiro to open the scoring before Fernandes set up Matheus Cunha with a pass that led to United’s second goal after Ross Barkley had equalised for Villa.
Fernandes now has 100 assists for United in all competitions, becoming the fourth player after Rooney, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham to reach that mark in the Premier League era.
“Bruno has done it for a long period of time now, making the difference in big moments, whether he’s scoring or creating,” Carrick said.
“He’s got a great connection with Casemiro, which is the bit you can’t coach.”
Carrick also praised Casemiro, who scored his seventh goal of the season during the match.
The Brazilian has already confirmed he will leave United at the end of the season when his contract expires.
“The fact it was decided makes things a little bit easier,” Carrick said.
“It was a nice moment at the end there with the supporters and having that connection and the respect. He’ll enjoy that one.
“No disrespect to Casemiro, he’s been fantastic. He’s been a big, big, big player for us and been important in the dressing room.
“But I think this is a club where players come and go – some bigger and some are maybe more important than others at different times.
“But I don’t think it’s ever really about replacing like for like. You can go in different directions.”
(BBC)
