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Wayne Rooney has called for Manchester United to appoint Michael Carrick as the club’s permanent head coach following their 3–1 Premier League win over Aston Villa on Sunday. The victory lifted United to third place in the table and continued a strong run since Carrick returned to the dugout in January.
Rooney, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said the former United midfielder has demonstrated he is the right figure to lead the club beyond the current season.
Carrick’s run reshapes United’s season
Since Carrick’s first match back in charge on January 17, Manchester United have collected 22 points from nine Premier League matches.
That return — seven wins, one draw and a single defeat — represents the best record in the division during that period.
The improvement has pushed United into the Champions League qualification places and restored momentum during the second half of the campaign.
Sunday’s victory over Aston Villa extended Carrick’s perfect record at Old Trafford in the league. He has now won each of his first six Premier League home matches as a manager, becoming only the fourth coach in the competition’s history to achieve that start.
The run has also included notable results elsewhere, including a derby victory over Manchester City and a 3–2 away win against league leaders Arsenal.
Rooney’s endorsement from inside the club
Rooney, United’s all-time leading scorer and a former team-mate of Carrick, believes the club should commit to the current interim coach rather than search for an external candidate.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Rooney said Carrick had brought stability and confidence back into the squad.
Rooney said the club needed a calm figure who understood both the players and the environment around Manchester United.
He added that Carrick’s personality and knowledge of the club have helped reconnect the team during a crucial stage of the season.
Players responding under Carrick
Several key players have produced consistent performances since Carrick took charge.
Captain Bruno Fernandes has continued to influence matches in midfield, while striker Benjamin Šeško has rediscovered scoring form in recent weeks.
Support has also come from Bryan Mbeumo, Casemiro and Matheus Cunha, giving United greater attacking balance and depth across the squad.
Rooney pointed to improved team cohesion as one of the most noticeable changes during Carrick’s tenure.
According to the former England forward, the players appear more connected on the pitch and are delivering performances with greater collective discipline.
Champions League race shaping the decision
Manchester United’s immediate objective remains qualification for next season’s Champions League.
With eight Premier League matches remaining, the club currently sits three points ahead of the chasing pack and seven points behind second-placed Manchester City.
Maintaining that position could strengthen Carrick’s case for the permanent role.
Rooney believes the decision should be straightforward given the current results.
He said United have shown stronger performances, greater organisation and a more unified style of play since Carrick’s appointment.
A familiar figure at the centre of United’s rebuild
Carrick spent more than a decade at Manchester United as a player, winning multiple domestic titles and the Champions League during Sir Alex Ferguson’s era.
His understanding of the club’s internal culture has often been cited as an advantage during transitional periods.
Rooney argued that replacing a manager who is delivering results would create unnecessary disruption.
For the former United captain, Carrick’s record since January — combined with his connection to the club — makes him the clear candidate to guide Manchester United into the 2026–27 season.