Wayne Rooney names the manager Man Utd ‘100 per cent have to’ appoint

Wayne Rooney insists Manchester United need look no further than Michael Carrick and believes his former teammate has to become the club’s next permanent boss.

The Red Devils enhanced their Champions League qualifying credentials with a a 3-1 win over fellow top four aspirants Aston Villa on Sunday.

A trio of second half goals from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko helped Carrick continue his flawless home record, despite the brief scare provided by Ross Barkley’s equaliser.

Carrick’s interim tenure has had echoes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s period at the helm. The Norwegian initially took over on a temporary basis and injected a sense of fun and freedom back into a team that would eventually finish as runners-up to Manchester City in his first full season in charge as permanent boss.

Solkjaer was eventually sacked after falling short the following season, but Rooney fears the fate of one of his former teammate’s should not have a bearing on the future of another of his ex-colleagues.

He said: ‘100% he should [get the job]. I have said this. I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick.

‘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.

‘We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. For me, why would you change?

‘He has got the best winning percentage of any Manchester United manager after that many games. For me, he has to get the job.’

‘I was pretty happy with a lot of things,’ said Carrick, meanwhile, himself, after a win that cemented United’s position in third place.

‘We looked a good team. Credit to them, they had a couple of spells in the game but for the most part we were dangerous. It was a big game coming off the defeat. The boys reacted incredibly well.

“Two good teams. It’s not always going to be all guns blazing, edge-of-your-seat stuff. We were in a good place at half-time and wanted a little bit more. We knew we were capable of it and the boys were fantastic to finish it off.

‘We can enjoy winning. It’s a good feeling and something we want to keep getting used to. We are keeping a lid on it and understanding where we are and what it takes to win games like today.

‘We are in a good position at the moment but still a lot to play for.’

It was another reputation enhancing afternoon for skipper Bruno Fernandes who registered two second half assists and in the process broke David Beckham’s club record for a single campaign.

‘We’re delighted to have him. He’s proven over a period of time how impactful he is in the big moments,’ Carrick added.

‘He’s there all the time, he puts himself forward in training and games. You can always count on him to be there. It’s a really good trait to have. He’s been through ups and downs here but it’s never knocked him. He was there today to make the difference.’