The Portuguese coach was sacked at the start of the year despite his form improving from a dismal 15th place finish in 2024/25. Darren Fletcher briefly replaced him against Burnley and Brighton before Michael Carrick was handed the caretaker job earlier this week.
Carrick is expected to lead the club to the strongest possible finish to this season’s Premier League, with United set to review their managerial options in the summer. As a result, speculation is rife as to who will take over permanently for the 2026/27 season.
Names such as Oliver Glasner and Gareth Southgate have been touted as front-runners to rebuild the club in the coming months, while Klopp has also been mentioned as an outside bet.
The chances of the German becoming the next manager of the Theater of Dreams remain extremely remote, given his deep links with Liverpool, who led United’s fierce rivals to glory in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Despite this, Rooney revealed that he had welcomed Klopp to Old Trafford before the German spent his legendary nine years at Anfield. Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, the 40-year-old admitted: “I think I loved Klopp before I joined Liverpool.
“But for me, I don’t think you can bring in Klopp or Alonso. Alonso performed well for Leverkusen and I think it’s more likely that he’s sitting and waiting and hoping Arne Slott leaves.”
It comes amid speculation that Xabi Alonso has been linked with United’s high-profile player following his departure from Real Madrid on Monday after just seven-and-a-half months in charge.
Rooney was also quick to name Thomas Tuchel as his current front-runner due to his track record in English football. He added: “Tuchel was the right player for me. I think he knows the Premier League, he has won trophies and he has done well in England. Time will tell.”
Meanwhile, Carrick faces a baptism of fire in his first game as United manager when he takes on Josep Guardiola’s side in a hard-fought Manchester derby on Saturday afternoon.
