Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney believes Michael Carrick is a more suitable appointment than Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique for the permanent manager’s job at Old Trafford.

Enrique has won the Champions League on two occasions (once with Barcelona in 2015 and again last season with PSG), but Rooney thinks the club have tried hiring high-profile coaches and it hasn’t proven to be successful. He says Carrick offers something different:

“We talk about Luis Enrique and stuff. And I think [United have] been there and tried different managers, between Mourinho and Van Gaal, then we saw the likes of Ten Hag and Amorim, which don’t work.”

“I just think for me, it kind of makes sense [to stick with Carrick]. I felt that from the minute he was mentioned of going in, not because, obviously, we played together and we’re friends, I just think he’s a real calming influence.”

Who are the leading contenders to take the Man Utd job?

Carrick is currently odds-on to be in the dugout when the first game of the 2026/27 campaign kicks off, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner second in the running –  the Austrian is priced between 5/1 and 8/1.

Ex-England manager Gareth Southgate remains in contention at the bookies, with odds between 6/1 and 16/1. Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann is fourth favoruite, with Enrique somewhat of an insider.

The Spaniard still has a year left on his contract at PSG, and he is not expected to leave the Parc des Princes before 2027 as things stand.

Will Man Utd appoint Carrick?

Another former teammate, Gary Neville, has claimed that the 44-year-old hasn’t even asked to be considered for the permanent position yet.

Carrick is said to be focused currently on his work as interim boss, but if he continues to pick up good results, the clamour to appoint him for the long term will increase.

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