The former United skipper has had his say on the club’s managerial position
Wayne Rooney has backed Mauricio Pochettino to be the next Manchester United boss – if his former club decide against giving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the job on a permanent basis.
Solskjaer has impressed since replacing Jose Mourinho on an interim basis in December, United winning eight of the nine games he’s been in charge for.
Pochettino had seemed to be the obvious choice to take the job permanently when Solskjaer took charge at Old Trafford, Rooney himself backing him for the role. However, United’s form under the Norwegian has sparked some reports that the job may now be given to their former striker instead.
Rooney, who played alongside Solskjaer at United for three seasons, believes his old teammate is now a serious contender to be the club’s next full-time manager, but adds that the Tottenham manager would be the best fit if he is overlooked.
“Ole Gunnar’s a fantastic person,” Rooney said while speaking to CNN.
“I think the club will have a decision to make at the end of the season, and it’d be nice to see if Ole’s going to continue with this form, and get a shot at the job on the permanent basis.
“But if not, if the club go to choose from somewhere else, then I think in my opinion Pochettino would be the right guy.”
Rooney, now 33, left United at the end of the 2016/17 season having surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton as their all-time leading goalscorer.
Having returned to boyhood club Everton for last season, the former England international joined D.C United in Major League Soccer. His arrival transformed his new side’s form, helping them reach the play-off positions – something which seemed highly unlikely when he first arrived in the UK.
