Arjun Menon
Rooney Hails United’s Progress After Back-to-Back Wins
Manchester United are moving in the right direction again at least that’s the view of club legend Wayne Rooney. After a turbulent period, the Red Devils have found momentum under interim head coach Michael Carrick, stringing together two impressive Premier League victories in quick succession.
The latest triumph came at the Emirates Stadium, where United edged out Arsenal 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. That result, following the Manchester derby win over City, has lifted the side into fourth place positioning them firmly in the race for next season’s Champions League.
But it’s not just the results that have caught the eye. The shift in attitude, focus, and togetherness within the squad has been just as striking.
“The change in Manchester United over a two-game period is incredible,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show. “Michael and his coaches deserve a lot of praise for that. Just putting an attitude into the players a focus, a togetherness which, if we’re honest, we didn’t see under Ruben Amorim.”
Rooney pointed to United’s resilience in north London as evidence of their growing belief. Despite falling behind early, the team reacted sharply, controlling the game even when chances were scarce. “Arsenal started well,” he noted. “But when Manchester United went a goal down, the reaction was great. Manchester United deserved the win.”
A Return to United’s Core Values
Beyond the first team’s performances, Rooney highlighted the broader cultural shift taking place at Carrington. The club’s academy has once again become a focal point, with Carrick and his staff including Steve Holland, Jason Wilcox, and Johnny Evans actively engaging with youth development.
“There’s a calmness about the place,” Rooney added. “I was watching the under-16s on Saturday morning, and they were all there again. Michael Carrick was there, Steve Holland, Jason Wilcox all the coaches. That connection with the academy is huge.”
He recalled a recent training session where Carrick was so impressed by the under-16s that he cut it short wanting to preserve the moment. “Michael told me how good the players were,” Rooney said. “He felt he had to stop the session early because they were that good, and he wanted to bottle it up. That’s the kind of energy we’re seeing now.”
The former United captain, who won five Premier League titles during his 13-year spell at Old Trafford, believes these small but significant steps are bringing the club closer to its former identity. “You go back to the United DNA things you want to see at that football club, which I haven’t seen for a long time,” he said. “And I thought it was absolutely brilliant.”
With Carrick at the helm, even the away end at the Emirates couldn’t resist a playful chant about winning the league. While that may be a stretch this season, the foundations are being laid for a brighter future.
Carrick’s Impact Extends Beyond the Pitch
Rooney, who knows Carrick’s work ethic well, expressed his satisfaction with the interim manager’s start. “I know how Michael works, and I knew what he could do with this team,” he said. “He and his coaches have been criticised, but they’ve gone and competed with the best teams in the league.”
The question now is whether United can maintain this momentum. If they do, a return to the top of English football may not be as far-fetched as it once seemed.
Read also: Wayne Rooney Backs Michael Carrick as ‘Right Choice’ for Manchester United