Wayne Rooney believes that former Manchester United and England teammate Michael Carrick holds one major advantage over Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal are in pole position to capture the Premier League title under Mikel Arteta in the 2025-26 season ahead of Manchester United’s crosstown rivals Manchester City.
The Gunners are seven points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League table, but Pep Guardiola’s men have a match in hand over Arteta’s title-chasing side.
Michael Carrick, who became interim head coach in January, has pushed the Red Devils into third place in the Premier League table since his appointment at the club.
READ MORE: Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney disagree with Roy Keane and Ian Wright over Man Utd vs Aston Villa prediction
Michael Carrick looks dejected following the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park in 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Do you agree? Is Michael Carrick the best managerial option?
Is Champions League qualification enough? Or do you need to see more?
Wayne Rooney Michael Carrick
Getty Images
The biggest difference between Man Utd legend Michael Carrick and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in the eyes of Wayne Rooney
Michael Carrick crossed paths with Mikel Arteta during only his second match in charge of the Red Devils after Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United.
Man Utd came out on top against Arsenal at the Emirates in January, with the Red Devils sealing a stunning 3-2 Premier League win under Carrick’s interim reign.
More United News
Wayne Rooney returned for a new episode of his podcast and United’s all-time leading scorer linked up with former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen.
Speaking on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, the 40-year-old former striker insisted that Carrick’s body of work as a manager stood out more than Arteta’s.
“Arteta works with Man City as a coach, whereas Michael Carrick went out for three and a half years – or whatever it was with – Middlesbrough,” he said.
“So, Michael Carrick has actually done way more than what Arteta has done before Arteta got the Arsenal job.”
READ MORE: Peter Schmeichel and David de Gea’s Antonin Kinsky defence validates Senne Lammens’ superb Man Utd rise
What’s your biggest worry for Michael Carrick right now?
Team selections? Recent results? Something else you just don't feel right about? Let everyone know!
Michael Carrick looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park in 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney still doesn’t think Michael Carrick should become Man Utd manager, despite his Mikel Arteta comparison
Carrick returned to the dugout for the first time with Man Utd in January after the 44-year-old Red Devils legend was sacked by Middlesbrough in 2025.
The former Man Utd midfielder’s appointment as interim head coach is only expected to last until the end of the 2025-26 Premier League season at Old Trafford.
Rooney praised Carrick for how he has ended up learning his craft, but the United legend is not convinced that he is ready to be the Red Devils’ permanent coach.
“He’s been doing the job, he’s been learning on the job, but still he hasn’t got the experience to manage Manchester United,” he continued.
Ineos are expected to appoint the permanent head coach of Man Utd in the post-Ruben Amorim era after the end of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox