Wayne Rooney has been full of praise for Michael Carrick since he took over as Manchester United interim manager

Wayne Rooney insists it “makes sense” that Michael Carrick should be considered for the permanent Manchester United position. He has full confidence in his ex-team-mate and insists he’s earned the right to be in contention for the full-time role.

Since Carrick assumed control as United’s caretaker boss, there’s been a major turnaround on the pitch. Notable victories over Manchester City and Arsenal were followed by further wins against Fulham and Tottenham, before last week’s 1-1 draw at West Ham.

This unbeaten streak has seen the side climb to fourth place in the Premier League table, putting them in prime position for Champions League qualification. Rooney featured on The Overlap’s Fan Debate and suggested that United’s next manager is already under their noses.

He said: “We’ve been there and tried different managers – [Jose] Mourinho, [Louis] van Gaal, [Erik] ten Hag and [Ruben] Amorim – and for me Carrick makes sense. Not because we’ve played together and we’re friends, but because he is a real calming influence.

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“Having someone there who knows the club and cares for the club makes a big difference. Michael is managing the whole squad and managing them well.

“The players who are starting, they’re fine, you don’t have to manage them, but the other lads – we’ve seen the impact on [Matheus] Cunha, [Benjamin] Sesko, [Harry] Maguire, [Lisandro] Martinez. He’s having an impact on the whole squad and football club.

“Sometimes we’re quick to overlook what’s right there in front of you and say we’ve got this manager from Turkey or from Spain, who is going to come in and do this, when they have no interest in the football club.

“At least [with Carrick] this will give the foundations for the club to keep building, when in two or three years’ time the infrastructure will be back at the club.”

These remarks outline Rooney’s clear belief in Carrick as a head coach. This isn’t a recent development either, as the 40-year-old warned people to not take him lightly when he was appointed.

Speaking on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show podcast, Rooney explained: “Michael’s great fun. He is a great character, but don’t be fooled by how calm he looks. He can have fun as well, but make no mistake, he’d be going in there now with full focus.”

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Carrick has evidently been warmly welcomed in the dressing room, securing the Premier League Manager of the Month award and receiving considerable praise from his first-team squad. Maguire said: “I had no surprises when he came in and the way that he spoke in his first meeting and the way the sessions have gone.

“And I do think he’s got a great, great staff with him. He takes most sessions. He still does demos in passing drills and he still bangs it through the lines like he’s still got it.”

Speaking to TNT Sports, club captain Bruno Fernandes added: “Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility, but also some freedom to take the responsibility on the pitch during the decisions that are needed.”