Wayne Rooney makes feelings clear on Luis Enrique taking Man Utd job

The Manchester United legend has made his feelings clear on Michael Carrick’s future at the club, having impressed in his interim spell in charge

Wayne Rooney believes Champions League-winning boss Luis Enrique should NOT be given the Manchester United job and wants to see Michael Carrick stay on. The Reds legend feels that United have already gone down the tried-and-tested route of bringing in big-name managers, with PSG boss Enrique linked to the vacant managerial position.

However, Rooney feels that Carrick has already shown he has what it takes to reconnect the first-team and the academy set-up, which United are synonymous with. The Class of ’92 was the club’s golden generation, and the club has since produced a conveyor belt of talent capable of playing at the highest level.

Carrick took over as interim manager of United following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal earlier this year, and is set to oversee first-team duties until the end of the season. So far, Carrick has taken charge of five matches in the top flight, winning four of them, including big wins over Arsenal and Man City, and drawing the other against West Ham United last time out.

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The former United midfielder has brought Kobbie Mainoo back into the fold after he fell down the pecking order under Amorim, with his future at Old Trafford up in the air. The England international has been impressive since returning to the team, with Rooney praising Carrick for that reconnection.

Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney said: “We talk about Luis Enrique and stuff. And I think [United have] been there and tried different managers, between Mourinho and Van Gaal, then we saw the likes of Ten Hag and Amorim, which don’t work.

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“I just think for me, it kind of makes sense [to stick with Carrick]. I felt that from the minute he was mentioned of going in, not because, obviously we played together and we’re friends, I just think he’s a real calming influence.

“I’ve got two boys in the academy, I’ve spoke about this a lot, there was a massive disconnect from the academy and the first team. Whether people say that’s right or wrong, and immediately, what we’ve seen is this connection come back together, which Man United was known for.

“It was known to be a family club, and Michael’s done that actually in a very short period of time, where we’re seeing the first team coaches at the academy games, and there’s a real interest in the academy.”

The United legend felt the Reds should have done more to integrate former players into the set-up and lean on them for their take on the club.

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Rooney added: “I was there with Michael, our boys in the same academy team, and we used to sit in the car and have a sleep in the car park, the two of us.

“[You have] two players that were very experienced, that know the football club. Just even someone to come out and say ‘can we have 10 minutes with you to just have a word, just to see what you feel about the football club.

“And I really believe – people might agree, might disagree greater – having someone in there who knows the club, cares the club, it makes a big difference.”