Michael Carrick will take the reins of Manchester United on an interim basis for the remainder of the season, but Wayne Rooney has identified who he would like to see in the Red Devils' hot seat
Jurgen Klopp reacts
Jurgen Klopp spent nine years with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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Wayne Rooney has admitted he would have "loved" to see Jurgen Klopp take the reins at Manchester United before his move to Liverpool, while dismissing suggestions that Xabi Alonso could join the Reds this summer. It's been a busy month at Old Trafford, with the United hierarchy scrambling to find a replacement for Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese manager was given his marching orders at the start of the year, despite showing signs of improvement compared to the dismal 15th-place finish in 2024/25. Darren Fletcher stepped in temporarily for matches against Burnley and Brighton, before Michael Carrick was handed the interim manager's role earlier this week.
Carrick is expected to steer the club towards the strongest possible Premier League finish this season, after which United will weigh up their options for the summer. Consequently, several candidates have been touted as potential permanent appointments for 2026/27.
While Oliver Glasner and Gareth Southgate have emerged as frontrunners to take charge in the coming months, Klopp has also been mentioned as an outsider - currently priced at 100/1 by certain bookmakers.
Given his deep-rooted connection to Liverpool, where he guided United's fierce adversaries to both a Premier League and Champions League trophy, the prospect of the German becoming the next manager at the Theatre of Dreams remains highly improbable, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Yet Rooney has now confessed he would have welcomed Klopp at his former club before the German's nine-year reign at Liverpool began. On a recent episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, the 40-year-old said: "I think before Liverpool, I would have loved Klopp.
"But I don't think you could bring Klopp in or Alonso, for me. Alonso did incredible at Leverkusen, and I think you've more chance of him sitting, and waiting and hoping that Arne Slot leaves."
Wayne Rooney speaks with David Ornstein
Wayne Rooney has spoken about Jurgen Klopp(Image: Wayne Rooney Show / YouTube)
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It comes amid speculation linking Alonso with the United hot seat, following his departure from Real Madrid on Monday after merely seven-and-a-half months in charge. Rooney was also swift to clarify that Thomas Tuchel would be his preferred choice for manager at this moment, given his proven track record in the Premier League.
He added: "Tuchel was the one for me. I just think he knows the Premier League, he's won trophies, he's doing well at England. Time will tell."
Carrick faces a baptism of fire on Saturday afternoon in his maiden match as Manchester United boss, taking on Pep Guardiola's Cityzens in the Manchester Derby. Just 10 points divide the two sides at present, with United in seventh place whilst City sit second, and the fixture could prove crucial for both clubs for very different reasons.
City are keen to topple Arsenal from the top of the league as Guardiola pursues his seventh English top-flight title. Meanwhile, United are intent on securing European football for the upcoming season, with only a single point currently separating them from the top five. The action kicks off at 12.30pm at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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