Wayne Rooney sends fresh message to Man United after making Michael Carrick offer

Wayne Rooney has been out of football management since leaving Plymouth Argyle over a year ago

Wayne Rooney has doubled down on his willingness to take on a coaching role at Manchester United under Michael Carrick if the opportunity arises.

Carrick took the reins as United’s interim manager last month, stepping in for the remainder of the campaign. Prior to Carrick officially being announced, Rooney went on record to say he would happily help out his former team-mate as part of his backroom team.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney said: “Of course I would. It’s a no-brainer. I’m not begging for 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.”

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Rooney, who made 559 appearances for the club, scoring a club record of 253 goals, has now reiterated that stance. So far, Carrick, who remains undefeated after five matches in the dugout, hasn’t called upon the England legend for support.

When asked again on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast about a potential return to management, Rooney responded: “I would go back if the right opportunity came up. I’m not in a rush.”

When former Premier League boss Sam Allardyce asked whether he’d consider the role of assistant, Rooney replied: “100% yeah. I got asked this a few weeks ago about whether I’d go back to United in a different role.

“Of course I would. Probably the only two clubs I’d go back to [not as a manager] are Everton and United because they’re the two clubs which are close to my heart.”

Following his retirement as a player at Derby County, Rooney swiftly stepped into management at the club, successfully steering them clear of relegation before suffering Championship relegation the following 2021/22 campaign after a 21-point penalty.

He resigned and took charge of MLS side D.C. United from 2022 to 2023, failing to qualify for the playoffs two seasons in a row.

The 40-year-old returned to English football in October 2023 when Birmingham City appointed him as their manager. However, he was dismissed in January 2024 having secured just two victories from 15 fixtures, with Birmingham ultimately suffering relegation that season.

In May 2024, he accepted the same position at Plymouth Argyle but struggled to get results, particularly away from home. He left by mutual agreement in December 2024.

Since then, Rooney has stepped back from management, instead working as a pundit for broadcasters such as TNT Sports and the BBC, while featuring on several podcasts. Rooney was seen sitting next to Carrick in the Old Trafford Directors’ Box last month as the pair watched their sons in action in the FA Youth Cup for United.

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