Manchester United have improved significantly under manager Michael Carrick, finishing third in the Premier League and are now being considered for a title challenge.
Wayne Rooney is a friend and former teammate of Michael Carrick (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney has tempered expectations by insisting Manchester United must be realistic about their chances of challenging for the title next season. United have made impressive progress under manager Michael Carrick, but Rooney feels it will be “very difficult” for them to make further progress.
Carrick was appointed interim manager in January following the departure of Ruben Amorim, and the team enjoyed an excellent second half of the season. United won 12 of 17 games under his management, moving into third place in the Premier League and securing a return to the Champions League.
The club’s management responded by signing him to a two-year contract and are now making plans for the 2026/27 season. United are looking to strengthen their squad once again in the summer transfer window after a successful recruitment drive last summer, with Atalanta midfielder Ederson expected to be their first signing.
Some experts believe United could challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for next season’s title, with the 39 points they have picked up since January under Carrick being the highest of any club. But former United striker Rooney is becoming more optimistic and more cautious.
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“I think the situation at Man United over the last few years has been very difficult for fans to find happiness in,” he told talkSPORT. “But I think since Michael’s arrival there has been a renewed sense of hope and belief among Man United fans.
“I think all the signings went really well to finish third. And now we’re back in the Champions League and I hope they sign some players that will help them take the next step. So I think there’s progress and it looks like it’s getting better. And hopefully we can see the benefits of having a very good coach in.”
When asked about winning the title, Rooney added: “Well, I spoke to him (Carrick) last week and I think the expectation is to win everything, but you also have to be realistic.
Manchester United have improved under manager Michael Carrick (Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
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“I think, can we progress again from where we were? So I think next season United could finish in the top four, maybe challenge and win, maybe get into the FA Cup and do well in the Champions League. Again, I think that’s progress.”
“We all want them to win the league, but realistically, 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 we’re trying to improve.”
United’s last trophy was the FA Cup in 2024 under Erik ten Hag, and they lost to Amorim’s Tottenham in the Europa League final last summer. The last time they won the Premier League title was in the 2012/13 season under Sir Alex Ferguson.
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