Rooney urges realism on United title talk despite Carrick's remarkable turnaround

Wayne Rooney has warned against runaway optimism surrounding Manchester United’s title prospects, insisting it will be “very difficult” for the club to take another significant step forward despite their dramatic improvement under Michael Carrick in the second half of the 2024/25 season.

Carrick was appointed interim manager in January following Ruben Amorim’s departure and oversaw a remarkable turnaround, guiding United to 12 wins from 17 matches to finish third in the Premier League and secure a return to the Champions League. The club rewarded him with a two-year contract and are now planning their summer recruitment, with Atalanta midfielder Ederson reported to be the first incoming signing.

Some pundits have pointed to United’s haul of 39 Premier League points under Carrick since January — the best return of any club over that period — as grounds for genuine title optimism. Rooney, however, is urging perspective.

“I think where Man United have been over the last few years has been very difficult for the fans to find some happiness in it,” the former United striker told talkSPORT. “But I think since Michael went in, there’s hope and belief again within the Man United fans. To finish third, I think all of the signings done quite well. And now back in the Champions League — I think there’s progression, it looks better.”

On the prospect of a title challenge, Rooney said Carrick would want to compete for every trophy but acknowledged the need for realism. “I think if United finish in the top four next season and maybe have a challenge and win, you know, maybe the FA Cup and try and do well in the Champions League, I think, again, that’s progression. We all want them to win the league, but you have to be realistic and say, are they going to win the league? Are they going to win the Champions League? I think it’s going to be very difficult, but trying to get an improvement.”

United’s last piece of silverware was the 2024 FA Cup under Erik ten Hag. They lost the Europa League final to Tottenham last summer under Amorim, and their most recent Premier League title predates the Carrick era by some distance.