Rooney hails Carrick impact after Arsenal win

Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United have taken a major step towards rediscovering the identity that defined their most successful era, following back-to-back Premier League victories under interim head coach Michael Carrick.

United stunned league leaders Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, just a week after beating Manchester City in the derby.

The results have lifted the club to fourth place and strengthened their push for Champions League qualification.

‘Change over two games is incredible’

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former United captain said the transformation since Carrick’s appointment has been striking, particularly in terms of attitude and belief.

“The change in Manchester United over a two-game period is incredible,” Rooney said. “Michael and his coaches deserve a lot of praise for that.

“Just putting an attitude into the players and a focus, and a togetherness into them which, if we’re honest, we didn’t see under Ruben Amorim.”

Rooney felt United showed control and resilience against Arsenal, even after conceding first.

“Manchester United went there believing they could win the game,” he added. “They didn’t create a whole lot of chances, but you always felt they had a good control of the game.

“When Manchester United went a goal down, the reaction was great. Manchester United deserved the win.”

Academy link and ‘United DNA’

Beyond matchday performances, Rooney highlighted behind-the-scenes changes, particularly renewed links between the first team and the academy, as a positive sign.

“There’s a calmness about the place,” he said. “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 were there.

“That connection with the academy makes a big difference.”

Rooney revealed Carrick had even cut short a recent training session due to the quality on display.

“Michael told me how good the players were and he felt he had to stop the session early because they were that good and he wanted to bottle it up,” he said.

Step towards former standards

Rooney, who won five Premier League titles during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, believes the club is edging closer to those old standards.

“These are all things which used to happen in the past,” he said. “In my eyes they have taken a step towards getting the club back a little bit closer to where they used to be when the club was successful.”

United face Fulham next, with Carrick’s unbeaten start continuing to generate hope at Old Trafford.