Wayne Rooney doubles down on Man Utd job claim after offer to Michael Carrick

 Wayne Rooney has once again admitted he would be open to joining Michael Carrick’s coaching staff at Manchester United. Carrick was appointed as United’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season last month.

Before the former United midfielder’s arrival was officially announced, Red Devils legend Rooney went on record to say he would happily help out his former team-mate as part of his backroom team.

Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show when asked if he would join Carrick's coaching staff: "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 doubled down on that admission. As of now, Carrick, who is unbeaten after five games in charge, has not leaned on the former United and England captain for help.

Rooney was asked again recently on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast if he would get back into management, to which he said: "I would go back if the right opportunity came up. I’m not in a rush."

He was then asked by former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce if he’d accept being an assistant to somebody. 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."

After hanging up his boots at Derby County, Rooney immediately took charge of the club and avoided relegation, before being relegated from the Championship in the following 2021/22 season following a 21-point deduction. 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 made his return to English football in October 2023 after being appointed as Birmingham City’s manager. However, he was sacked in January 2024 after just two wins in 15 matches, with Birmingham ending the season with relegation.

He then took on the job at Plymouth Argyle in May 2024 but struggled to get results, particularly away from home, despite his popularity. He left by mutual consent in December 2024.

Rooney has stayed away from the dugout since, instead taking up punditry roles for the likes of TNT Sports and the BBC, while also appearing on various 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.