Wayne Rooney has pointed out a key detail about Manchester United fans after Michael Carrick began his Old Trafford reign with an emphatic win at the weekend.
Michael Carrick was appointed Manchester United interim manager last Tuesday and will lead the Red Devils until the end of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
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The 44-year-old ex-Middlesbrough boss returned to the Old Trafford dugout and Carrick was on cloud nine after Man Utd’s stunning display against Manchester City.
Carrick oversaw a dominant performance from the Red Devils, with United putting Manchester City on the back foot and applying pressure to Pep Guardiola’s men.
Bryan Mbeumo netted United’s opener in the second half after a sensational counterattack before Patrick Dorgu extended the Red Devils’ lead over City.
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Michael Carrick issues instructions to Patrick Dorgu during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Wayne Rooney spotted what Michael Carrick did with Man Utd fans ahead of the Manchester derby win vs Man City
Michael Carrick already faced a massive challenge in his first match as interim head coach against Premier League title-chasers Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
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But the Manchester United legend rose to the occasion and silenced his doubters with arguably the club’s best performance of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Speaking on his podcast, Wayne Rooney admitted that he noticed that Carrick showed the awareness to spur United fans on ahead of Saturday’s kick-off.
Man Utd’s all-time leading scorer felt that Carrick’s decision to inspire the Red Devils’ supporters created an atmosphere comparable to Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.
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Rooney explained on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show: “I wasn’t at the stadium, I was in the BBC studios, but did you see the difference in the stadium?
“Even when he [Carrick] walked out before the game and he’s trying to pump the crowd up.
“I think the fans felt something yesterday. They got a taste of what it was like under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Some of the young fans who have been through a terrible time over the last 10, 13 years, really, since Fergie left.”
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Wayne Rooney explains what Man Utd fans were feeling under Michael Carrick ahead of the Man City match
Rooney insisted that some of the Man Utd fans who pre-dated Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge were experiencing what the Red Devils’ ethos was like in the past.
“They haven’t witnessed a team perform that well,” he added.
“I’ve been part of some of those teams as well. I’ve played in some of them.
“They haven’t witnessed a team perform that well, with that energy and that belief in their fighting and being brave with the ball, but also being resilient and tough to play against.
“Them [Man Utd] fans felt that yesterday and, hopefully, that’s a glimpse of what we’ve got coming in the next 16 games.”
United will now travel to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon and Carrick’s Red Devils side will clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal at 4:30pm in the UK.
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