Carrick has two qualities to do a better job at Man Utd than Solskjaer, says Rooney

Wayne Rooney says two qualities Michael Carrick brings to the role as Manchester United manager that puts him in a better place than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Carrick has made an excellent start as interim manager having won four games before the draw at West Ham United on Tuesday where a late goal from Benjamin Sesko kept them unbeaten.

The mood was low at Old Trafford but it has improved dramatically with hopes rekindled that United can qualify for a Champions League place.

And the continuing question is what will happen at the end of the season if he does secure United a top four finish.

For Rooney he thinks if they continue their good form then it would be "impossible" not to give him the full-time job and he feels if they let him go then they would be making a similar mistake to sacking Solskjaer.

"Don't make the same mistake as you did with Ole, Ole actually did okay," said Rooney. Solskjaer was the manager from the end of 2018 until 2021 when he was dismissed after a run of poor results.

And Rooney believes that Carrick is "calm and a bit more calculated" than Solskjaer.

"Michael is a different character to Ole, he's calm, a bit more calculated and it feels right," said Rooney.

"I was at the Fulham game at Old Trafford and when you see him down there it feels right, he's got a calmness, he knows how he wants to play.

"I think how United have been a bit of a roller coaster over the last 10 years... but he has brought that calmness back and the players respect him.

"For what he has done for the football club players respect him and it looks like the players are enjoying playing football again with a bit of freedom. If that continues then I think it would be impossible for them not to give him the job."

Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel, one of the managers who has been touted for the role in the summer appears to have rules himself out by extending his contract with England.