Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has pinpointed the instant impact of interim manager Michael Carrick, claiming the former midfielder's understanding of the club's core identity sparked the best performance from the team in a long, long time.
The Rooney Verdict: DNA Restored at Old Trafford
Rooney's glowing assessment came after Carrick's first match in temporary charge resulted in a memorable 2-0 victory over rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a famous win, with a late Mason Mount effort narrowly ruled out for offside to deny a 3-0 scoreline.
Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day, Rooney argued that the appointment of an ex-player like Carrick made a decisive difference. "When you ask why Manchester United needed an ex-player back, it's because Michael Carrick knows the club, he knows the DNA of the football club and we've seen all that today," Rooney stated. "I thought today they were absolutely outstanding."
He elaborated that this 'DNA' was perfectly exemplified in United's aggressive, rapid counter-attacks. Rooney highlighted Mbeumo's opener, which began with a Harry Maguire clearance and ended with a blistering break, as a classic United goal of old. He felt this proactive, attacking intent had been missing under previous manager Ruben Amorim.
Shearer Points to Simplified System and Renewed Belief
Fellow pundit and Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer supported Rooney's view, suggesting a tactical shift was key. Shearer noted that Carrick's switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation from Amorim's 3-4-3 had simplified the game for the players.
"There's no doubt they didn't believe in what the other manager was trying to get them to do," Shearer said. "They've gone back to basics today... You've seen a different energy and a different performance from so many of those players."
He emphasised that the players' clear belief in Carrick's system, cultivated in just two or three days of preparation, must now be the standard for every match.
Carrick's Grounded Response After Dream Start
Despite the euphoric reaction to the win, Carrick himself was keen to temper the excitement. "I don't want to get carried away with all of the DNA kind of thing," the interim boss said post-match.
He praised his squad's application, stating: "We only had three days to prepare and they took everything on board, tactically, and to be able to deal with it emotionally was exactly as we hoped for. It's an easy thing to say but I couldn't ask for any more from the boys."
The victory on January 17, 2026, provides a perfect foundation for Carrick's short-term tenure, energising a squad and fanbase that had grown disillusioned. The challenge, as highlighted by both Rooney and Shearer, will be maintaining this revived identity and intensity in the games to come.
