Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has voiced strong support for Michael Carrick to become the club’s permanent manager.
Carrick, 44, took over as caretaker head coach in January following the sacking of Ruben Amorim. Since then, United have won six of eight games, climbing from sixth to third in the Premier League.
Owen, who played alongside Carrick at Old Trafford between 2009 and 2012, said the former midfielder has “brought a calm back to the club.”
“I can’t believe people are questioning whether he should get the job,” Owen told The Wayne Rooney Show podcast. “Manchester United have tried legends and proven managers for 12 years. The one time results and form improve, fans are on board, and people still doubt him? How is that possible?”
Wayne Rooney agreed, praising Carrick’s work: “Everyone at Manchester United loves Michael Carrick. He’s done an unbelievable job and given fans a taste of the Fergie era.”
United are reportedly considering other candidates for the permanent role, but Carrick’s early success has strengthened his case.
The podcast also revisited the Owen vs Rooney debate over who was the better teenage striker. Owen acknowledged Rooney’s achievements: “He’ll go down as a better player than me. But at 17, please…”
Both recalled their early careers with humor. Owen said it felt like he was England’s number one striker only briefly before Rooney emerged at Euro 2004. Rooney added: “I used to pretend to be Michael in the World Cup in 1998, and then I was in the squad playing alongside him. It was surreal.”
