Wayne Rooney Endorses Michael Carrick as Permanent Manchester United Manager Following ‘100%’ Success Rate

Wayne Rooney backs Michael Carrick for the permanent Man Utd job, citing his record-breaking win percentage and the "love" he has restored to the squad.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 4:48 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

The Case for a Permanent Appointment

Wayne Rooney has voiced his unwavering support for Michael Carrick to lead Manchester United beyond his current interim tenure. Since taking over mid-season, Carrick has steered the club to seven victories in ten games, a run that has effectively silenced initial plans for a temporary summer solution. Speaking during a Champions League broadcast, Rooney emphasized that Carrick’s "calm head" and intimate knowledge of the club’s culture have provided the "love" and stability the players desperately lacked under previous leadership.

A Historic Statistical Foundation

According to Rooney, the decision for INEOS should be straightforward based on performance metrics alone. Carrick currently boasts the highest winning percentage of any manager in Manchester United’s history after ten games. This instant upturn in results has seen the squad play with more cohesion and quality, transforming them into a side that Rooney describes as "very strong." The former captain questioned why the club would risk disrupting this momentum by introducing an external candidate.

The Risk of a High-Profile Rejection

Carrick’s candidacy has been further strengthened by the diminishing field of elite alternatives. Both Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti have reportedly removed themselves from consideration for the permanent role, leaving INEOS with a dwindling list of "born winner" profiles. Michael Owen echoed Rooney’s sentiments, suggesting that it would be "stupid" for the ownership to part ways with a manager who is already successfully "getting a tune out of the players" in a way that high-profile predecessors failed to do over the last decade.