Wayne Rooney has offered both himself and one former Manchester United teammate up as potential options for Michael Carrick to consider as his backroom staff at Old Trafford. The former midfielder has been appointed as head coach until the end of the season.
The English giants sacked Ruben Amorim on 5 January and Darren Fletcher oversaw to games, a draw against Burnley and a loss to Brighton, before the club pulled the trigger on appointing Carrick. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had also been in the running, but it's understood that the board were unanimous in preferring the Englishman over the Norwegian.
Carrick has brought in his own backroom staff for the rest of the season, with former England defender Jonathan Woodgate, highly-respected coach Steve Holland, Jonny Evans and Man Utd U21's manager Travis Binnion making up his team. That said, Rooney has suggested a couple of extra options to consider.
Rooney Would Happily Join Carrick at Man Utd
Pundit and former footballers Wayne Rooney talks ahead of a game
Speaking on his own BBC Sport podcast, Rooney made it clear that he wasn't 'begging' for the opportunity, but would not be able to turn it down, should an offer come his way from Carrick and co. He explained:
"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."
Rooney has been out of work since 2024, when he was sacked at Plymouth Argyle after just seven months, having also worked at Birmingham City, D.C. United, and Derby County in his short but largely uninspiring managerial career to date.
Rooney Suggests Roy Keane Should Return to Man Utd as Coach
roy keane
Beyond himself, Rooney was also keen to mention another Man Utd legend who could bring the right sort of DNA into the dressing room. Indeed, he namedropped Roy Keane as a potential option to help out Carrick.
He explained that he believes the Red Devils 'need people who know the football club' to get them back on the right track. He continued:
"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. This is an opportunity to bring that back, bring the spirit of Manchester United back to the football club."
Keane certainly is a club legend, having won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the Champions League during his 12 years at Old Trafford. That said, his last managerial job came in 2011 with Ipswich Town.
Over the past decade, the Irishman has become better known for his searing takes as a pundit. In fact, he suggested that Eddie Howe would be the best man to come in, not Carrick:
"Who would I go with? I'd go with Eddie Howe. I like him." Keane said. "I like what he's done. He's managed a lot of games and his teams play good football. I know it's not for everyone, and he'll have his critics, but I like what he's done at Newcastle. Even at Bournemouth, he's managed 700 or 800 games. He's still a young man."
Perhaps that will count against Keane if he ever was under consideration for Carrick.