Wayne Rooney has offered to join Michael Carrick's coaching staff at Manchester United after senior players intervened to make Carrick interim manager over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney
Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney(Image: Getty Images)
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Wayne Rooney has expressed his willingness to join Michael Carrick's backroom team at Manchester United. The Red Devils are set to name Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season.
The 44-year-old held initial discussions with the United hierarchy last week after Ruben Amorim's departure, and has emerged as the frontrunner ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the temporary role. With Carrick's appointment expected to be rubber-stamped on Tuesday, his former Old Trafford colleague Rooney has volunteered his services to assist the ex-Middlesbrough manager.
When questioned about potentially joining Carrick's coaching setup, he told the BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show: "Of course I would. It's a no-brainer. I'm not begging a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing."
Both Solskjaer and Carrick were considered the main candidates to guide United through the remainder of the campaign, following the club's decision to install a caretaker boss before securing a permanent successor to Amorim in the summer. Former United boss Solskjaer had initially been the overwhelming favourite for the position and underwent two rounds of interviews.
However, Solskjaer's potential return was said to be blocked after several players approached club officials expressing their opposition to his appointment. Sources suggest the squad made their lack of confidence in Solskjaer abundantly clear, instead backing Carrick - who has been without a club since departing Middlesbrough last June - to guide them through the rest of the campaign.
Michael Carrick is set to become Manchester United's new interim manager
Michael Carrick is set to become Manchester United's new interim manager(Image: PA)
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Rooney is convinced Carrick represents an ideal choice for the position. "Whether Michael goes in or if that's Fletch [Darren Fletcher] or John O'Shea or myself, it needs people who know the football club," former Plymouth and Birmingham boss Rooney said, having recently holidayed with Carrick and his family in Barbados.
"Roy Keane - I know Roy has had his opinions, I said about Roy going in earlier in the season. Having people who know the club, who care for the club and understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player - that's where the club needs to be.
"The club has lost its identity, it's lost that family feel, if you like. Whether it's Ole [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] or Michael, this is an opportunity to bring that back, bring the spirit of Manchester United back to the football club."
Darren Fletcher had stepped into the caretaker role for United's 2-2 stalemate at Burnley on Wednesday and Sunday's 2-1 FA Cup elimination by Brighton. However, he's now expected to make way for Carrick, whose first match in charge will be this weekend's Manchester derby against City.