Wayne Rooney has argued that Ineos should throw their full backing behind Michael Carrick’s appointment as Manchester United’s next manager ahead of Roberto De Zerbi.
Michael Carrick was installed as interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 Premier League season after Manchester United dismissed Ruben Amorim.
But the 44-year-old United legend is now being championed as a potential candidate to replace Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford dugout on a permanent basis.
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with Man Utd in the past and Ineos explored the option of bringing him to the Red Devils as a replacement for Erik ten Hag in 2024.
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Michael Carrick on the sideline during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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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.
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Wayne Rooney settles his position on the Michael Carrick vs Roberto De Zerbi debate for the Man Utd head coach appointment
Manchester United-linked Roberto De Zerbi is a free agent after the 46-year-old Italian head coach left Ligue 1 club Marseille by mutual consent in February.
De Zerbi had been at Marseille in 2024 after he left Brighton and the former Seagulls boss secured a second-place finish with the French club in his debut season.
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Ineos are on the hunt for United’s seventh permanent manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era after Ruben Amorim’s 14-month Old Trafford reign ended in January.
With De Zerbi once again linked with United, Wayne Rooney is fully convinced the former Marseille boss would be a ‘risky’ choice ahead of Michael Carrick now.
“He [Carrick] is showing that there is no problem managing at this level,” Rooney said on BBC Radio 5 Live, as per BBC Sport.
“The players have responded to him; the fans have responded to him.
“Why would you change it? Why would you try to find someone who is a risk like Roberto de Zerbi? For me, he has to get it.”
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Why Wayne Rooney thinks Michael Carrick has more credit in the bank for Man Utd role than Roberto De Zerbi
United are tipped as one of the favourites to finish inside the Premier League top four after the Red Devils’ turnaround in form under Carrick’s interim reign.
The Red Devils bounced back from their first defeat during Carrick’s spell and Man Utd sealed a huge 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking after United’s result against Aston Villa, Rooney insisted that ex-teammate Carrick is more suited to the Red Devils’ ‘DNA’ than someone like De Zerbi.
“The club has needed rebuilding a little bit in terms of getting back to the top and back to winning major trophies,” he explained.
“Michael has been at the club for a long time, and he knows what that takes. He is a good manager, and he is showing that.”
Carrick has won seven of his nine Premier League matches in charge since his appointment and Man Utd’s only defeat under him came against 10-man Newcastle earlier this month.
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