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Rooney open to Man Utd return if Carrick is appointed interim manager

Wayne Rooney last managed Plymouth Argyle
Wayne Rooney last managed Plymouth ArgyleAction Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff

Wayne Rooney said he would be open to joining ‍the coaching staff of former teammate Michael Carrick if he takes over as ​interim manager of Manchester United following Ruben Amorim’s departure last week.

Rooney made 559 appearances and ‌scored 253 goals in a trophy-laden 13-year ‌spell as a player at the club. He retired in 2021 and has had management spells at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham ⁠City and Plymouth Argyle.

Asked if he would consider joining ‌Carrick's coaching department, the 40-year-old said on the ​BBC's The Wayne Rooney Show: "Of course I would. It's a no-brainer. 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."

Following his retirement from football in 2018, Carrick stayed on ⁠at United as part of Jose Mourinho's coaching staff and was also part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's set-up when the Portuguese was sacked.

Carrick, who had a short stint as caretaker boss following Solskjaer's dismissal in 2021, spent two-and-a-half years as Middlesbrough manager from October 2022 to June 2025.

"I think it would be a really good fit," Rooney ⁠said. "Michael loves the football club and ‌would step in to do a job if he can.

"He lives and breathes that club - that's what the club needs."

United, who are seventh in the Premier League, ⁠face Manchester City on Saturday.