Wayne Rooney champions his former teammate Michael Carrick, citing his stellar win percentage. He warns INEOS against repeating past managerial blunders, urging a decisive choice.
Who's your pick for the next permanent United manager?
Former Manchester United goal machine Wayne Rooney insists on a new permanent manager INEOS must target, and gives the board a clear warning not to make the wrong decision.
The 40-year-old club legend has spoken about the current manager situation at United, urging the board to make the correct decision when appointing the club's next long-term manager.
Rooney's credibility needs no introduction; the former attacker represented the club on 539 occasions and scored 240 goals in the process.
His turn to punditry has come as no surprise. Rooney spoke recently about the brutal sacking of former United gaffer, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and urged the club not to make the same mistake.
Rooney insists on Carrick
Michael Carrick is Rooney's chosen man for the permanent role, according to Team Talk. The former bagsman recognised Carrick's impressive stint as interim manager so far, as the Reds push for Champions League qualification.
Rooney commented on Ole's sacking, saying how, towards the end of his tenure, the team looked deflated. But he believes that under Carrick, with the vast progress the club has made, Carrick won't repeat the same mistakes as Ole.
“I know him very well. I know his character, his personality. It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love, and he has given them that."
Carrick and Rooney played with each other for eleven years, and have obviously built a rapport while playing in arguably the club's most successful period.
One of the factors Rooney states to persuade the board is Carrick's win percentage; “He has got the best winning percentage of any Manchester United manager after that many games. For me, he has to get the job.”
While Carrick's win percentage is certainly impressive, fans remain skeptical as t whether he is the right fit for the permanent job. Carrick's little experience in management is a deterrent and gives potential suitors an advantage over him.
What alternatives should INEOS consider?
While INEOS has made some mistakes in the past, the prolonged sacking of Rúben Amorim, for example, the overall performance of the board's sporting operations should be considered a success so far.
But what remains pivotal in judging their ability to run the club is the appointment of the next long-term manager.
Luis Enrique is a man being considered for the role, a serial winner, and a man who guided PSG to their first Champions League title last season. The Spanish legend has a contract valid until 2027, but United may be enticed to pay the necessary compensation to pry Enrique away from Ligue 1.
Julian Nageslamann is another serial winner who has been linked with the job. Currently employed by the German national team, the 38-year-old holds a reputation as one of the world's best young managers. Still, again, a hefty compensation fee is required to secure his signature.
While Carrick's excellence provides him with a decent case, it's hard to ignore these top-tier managers who could be available, but if Rooney succeeds in persuading INEOS, then I'm sure fans won't be disappointed.