‘It won’t work’ – Rooney backs Carrick to get Man Utd job ahead of his double Champions League-winning manager

Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney believes Michael Carrick is a more suitable appointment than Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique for the permanent manager’s job at Old Trafford.

Enrique has won the Champions League twice (once with Barcelona in 2015 and again last season with PSG), but Rooney believes the club tried to hire top coaches and it failed. He says Carrick offers something different:

“We talk about Luis Enrique and all that. And I think [United have] I’ve been there and tried different managers, between Mourinho and Van Gaal, then we saw Ten Hag and Amorim, which didn’t work.

“I just think for me it makes sense [to stick with Carrick]. I felt from the moment we talked to him about his entry, not because obviously we’ve played together and we’re friends, I just think he’s a real calming influence.

Who are the main contenders for the Man Utd job?

Carrick is currently every chance of being in the dugout when the first game of the 2026/27 campaign kicks off, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner second in contention – the Austrian is priced between 5/1 and 8/1.

Former England manager Gareth Southgate remains in contention with the bookmakers, at odds between 6/1 and 16/1. Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann is the fourth favorite, with Enrique something of an insider.

The Spaniard still has one year of contract at PSG, and he is not expected to leave the Parc des Princes before 2027 as it stands.

Will Man Utd appoint Carrick?

Another former teammate, Gary Neville, claimed that the 44-year-old hasn’t even asked to be considered for the permanent position yet.

Carrick is currently said to be focusing on his job as interim boss, but if he continues to perform well, the clamor for his long-term appointment will increase.

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