Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United are edging closer to the standards that once made them one of Europe’s most feared clubs, after a week that has injected fresh belief into players and supporters alike.
United followed up their Manchester derby success against City with a gripping 3-2 win away to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, making it two wins from two since Michael Carrick took charge as interim head coach on 13 January. The result lifted United into fourth place and strengthened their grip on a Champions League spot for next season.
The significance of the latest win goes beyond the league table for Rooney. The former United captain and record goalscorer says the shift in mentality and organisation has been striking in a short space of time.
“The change in Manchester United over a two-game period is incredible,” Rooney said on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, available on BBC Sounds.
“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.”
At the Emirates, United showed resilience. Despite conceding early, they never looked overawed and gradually took control of a high-tempo contest.
“Manchester United went there believing they could win the game. They didn’t create a whole lot of chances, but you always felt they had good control of the game,” he said.
“Arsenal started well. And then when Manchester United went a goal down, the reaction was great.
“Manchester United deserved the win.”
Rooney also highlighted changes behind the scenes, pointing to a calmer atmosphere and a renewed connection between the first team and the academy as key factors in United’s improved outlook.
“There’s a calmness about the place,” he 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 were there and so on, which you’ve heard me talking about a lot, that connection with the academy.
“What I saw, not just from Michael, but the other coaches, Johnny Evans as well, is a real calmness and a belief.”
The former England striker revealed that Carrick had been struck by the quality and intensity of training in the build-up to the Arsenal game.
“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.
“And that’s proven today. An absolutely incredible performance.”
United’s travelling supporters certainly sensed a shift, with chants about winning the league ringing out in north London, partly in jest. While a title challenge remains unlikely this season, Rooney was reminded of an era when success was expected rather than hoped for.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United won 13 league titles, with Rooney playing a central role in five of those triumphs.
“You go back to the United DNA and United as a club and things you want to see,” he said.
“I was there for 13 years, so there are things you want to see at that football club which I haven’t seen there for a long time. And I thought it was absolutely brilliant.
“You’ve got all the coaching staff all there watching the under-18s play. And then again, on a Saturday morning, they’re all there watching the under-16s play after the training session.
“These are all things which used to happen in the past and it makes a big difference.”
The early signs under Carrick suggest United are beginning to rediscover their identity, according to Rooney, even if there is still work to be done.
“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,” he said.
“I know how Michael works and I knew what he could do with this team. I am really pleased with the start he has made because he and his coaches have been criticised as well and have gone and competed with the best teams in the league.”
