“The outstanding candidate”: Wayne Rooney wants CL winner for the permanent United job

Manchester United’s search for a caretaker manager is nearing its conclusion. The Red Devils removed Ruben Amorim from the hot seat at Old Trafford at the beginning of this month and are now looking for a stop-gap solution until the end of the campaign. Darren Fletcher was in charge for the last two games, which included a 2-2 Premier League draw against Burnley and a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round. Recent reports suggest that Michael Carrick has been selected as the caretaker manager for the rest of the season, although an official confirmation is still awaited. While the Englishman has been tasked with steadying the ship and helping secure a respectable end to the campaign, United are also eyeing a more proven face for the permanent position. Several candidates have been mentioned as options, with an appointment expected this summer. Club legend Wayne Rooney has now revealed his preferred choice for the role. Rooney wants Thomas Tuchel Speaking on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show on the BBC, the Englishman insisted that current Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel is the perfect candidate for United. He said: “Long-term you hope Thomas Tuchel goes and wins the World Cup.” “He’d be one you’d certainly try and bring in. He’d be the one you’d look at. Whoever goes in now, it is an opportunity. Last time Ole went in as interim and got the job permanently.” “Whoever goes in now has an opportunity to go and show what they are worth. If not, Tuchel is the outstanding candidate.” Wazza also warned that anyone comes in will take time to bring success back to Old Trafford. “Manchester United is a club that has traditionally developed and brought academy players through. Throw them in, give them opportunities. I’m not saying at all times, but certain players are cutting corners and that is costing the team.” “There are things over the last two games fans can take as positives. Fletch has got so much more out of Sesko and Shea Lacey is doing well. It’s going to take time whoever goes in. It’s going to be a very difficult job to get a connection and to get this group of players together to be successful.” “We are seeing positive moments with Sesko and young Shea Lacey and hopefully Kobie Mainoo gets a run of games and shows us what a player he can be. There are a few positives even though the last few games feel as if it’s really down.” Tuchel’s managerial record Tuchel first caught the eye during his two-season spell at Borussia Dortmund, where he won the DFB-Pokal, and turned heads at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The German manager took charge at the Parc des Princes in the summer of 2018, and won six trophies before losing his job at the end of 2020. He joined Chelsea at the start of 2021, and helped the Blues win the Champions League at the end of the season. After a short stint with Bayern Munich, Tuchel took charge of the England national team in January last year. Thomas Tuchel managerial stats TeamFromToGames PlayedGames WonGames DrawnGames LostWin % FC Augsburg II1 July 200730 June 200834208658.82 Mainz 053 August 200911 May 201418472466639.13 Borussia Dortmund29 June 201530 May 201710767231762.62 Paris Saint-Germain14 May 201824 December 202012795131974.80 Chelsea26 January 20217 September 202210060241660.00 Bayern Munich24 March 202318 May 2024613781660.66 England1 January 2025Present1090190.00 Career Total——62336012214157.78 Source: Wikipedia. The German was linked with the hot seat at Old Trafford in 2024, but United opted to keep faith in Erik ten Hag that summer. Recent reports suggest that Tuchel is among the candidates on the club’s shortlist for the permanent role. Final Thoughts INEOS infused the first-team squad with Premier League-proven quality last summer, and it is likely that they will follow the same criteria while making the permanent appointment. Tuchel has proven expertise in the top tier of English football, and his experience of managing at top clubs across Europe also makes him the ideal candidate for the job. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.