While Manchester United are in talks of finding an immediate fix of an interim manager for the remainder of the season post the exit of Ruben Amorim, club legend Wayne Rooney said that he would be open to joining the coaching cavalry of the next Red Devils gaffer.
Former United midfielder Michael Carrick is currently the favourite to manage the club until the end of the season. Since Amorim’s exit, first-team duties have been handled by Darren Fletcher, who recently led the squad through a Premier League draw at Burnley and a 2-1 FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton.
Rooney rued that the 20-time Premier League champions have lost their identity, and the next manager must be the one who can understand the ethos of the club.
“Whether Michael goes in or if that’s Fletch [Darren Fletcher] or John O’Shea or myself, it needs people who know the football club,” said Rooney on the BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show.
“Roy Keane – I know Roy has had his opinions, I said about Roy going in earlier in the season. Having people who know the club, who care for the club and understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player – that’s where the club needs to be.
“The club has lost its identity, it’s lost that family feel, if you like. Whether it’s Ole [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] or Michael, this is an opportunity to bring that back, bring the spirit of Manchester United back to the football club.
‘Not begging a job’
Rooney said he was all-in to join the coaching set-up should Carrick take over as the interim manager.
“Of course I would. It’s a no-brainer.
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“I’m not begging a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing,” he remarked.
On January 3, Amorim indicated a breakdown of relations with the club hierarchy in a fiery press conference after United’s 1-1 draw at Elland Road. The 40-year-old suggested that the club needed to change if it could not handle commentary from television pundits like former United player Gary Neville.
Rooney, who scored a record 253 goals said Carrick would be an apt replacement for Amorim.
“Michael is a very clever person and has done a very good job at Middlesbrough,” Rooney added.
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“I think it would be a really good fit. You are not seeing any top managers available at this moment in time who through history have been successful and won trophies.”
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