“A big difference”: United legend backs intriguing alternative to Luis Enrique for the permanent role

Michael Carrick’s winning start to life as Manchester United’s caretaker manager may be over, but he has still overseen an impressive turnaround at Old Trafford. The Englishman has registered four wins and a draw in his first five games, all of which have been in the league.

After victories against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, the Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United at the London Stadium earlier this month. However, United remain fourth in the Premier League table after 26 games and have a great opportunity to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Carrick’s arrival has draped the Theatre of Dreams in positivity after the gloom of former head coach Ruben Amorim’s 14-month reign. Some of the Englishman’s decisions, such as switching Portuguese maestro Bruno Fernandes back to the No. 10 position and reinstating Kobbie Mainoo in the starting XI, have been widely appreciated by fans and pundits.

Michael Carrick: Managerial Career Stats

Source: Wikipedia.

The Englishman is occupying the hot seat at Old Trafford until the end of the season, when a permanent appointment is expected to be made. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Luis Enrique is reportedly among the candidates on the club’s shortlist, but United legend Wayne Rooney has now explained why Carrick could be the right candidate for the job himself.

A real calming influence for United

Speaking on The Overlap, as cited by Football 365, Rooney insisted that Carrick has restored the link between the first team and the academy since his arrival. He said: “We talk about Luis Enrique and stuff. And I think [United have] been there and tried different managers, between Mourinho and Van Gaal, then we saw the likes of Ten Hag and Amorim, which don’t work.”

“I just think for me, it kind of makes sense [to stick with Carrick]. I felt that from the minute he was mentioned of going in, not because, obviously we played together and we’re friends, I just think he’s a real calming influence.”

“I’ve got two boys in the academy, I’ve spoke about this a lot, there was a massive disconnect from the academy and the first team. Whether people say that’s right or wrong, and immediately, what we’ve seen is this connection come back together, which Man United was known for.”

“It was known to be a family club, and Michael’s done that actually in a very short period of time, where we’re seeing the first team coaches at the academy games, and there’s a real interest in the academy.”

Someone who knows the club well

United’s record goalscorer went on to recall his playing days with Carrick and how they would wait for their kids, who were in the academy, in the parking lot. Rooney also suggested that having someone like his former teammate, who knows what the club is all about, in charge could make a difference at Old Trafford.

“I was there with Michael, our boys in the same academy team, and we used to sit in the car and have a sleep in the car park, the two of us,” said Rooney.

“[You have] two players that were very experienced, that know the football club. Just even someone to come out and say ‘can we have 10 minutes with you to just have a word, just to see what you feel about the football club’.”

“And I really believe – people might agree, might disagree greater – having someone in there who knows the club, cares the club, it makes a big difference.”

Final Thoughts

Carrick has already won over a sizeable chunk of United’s supporters with his exciting brand of football, and the calls to make his stay permanent are gathering pace. However, INEOS are expected to wait until the end of the season and see where the team ends up in the league before making a final call on the matter.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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