20 October 2023 , 16:00
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Wayne Rooney’s “natural football brain” will ensure he succeeds in his new job at Birmingham.
Former Manchester United team mate and close friend Michael Carrick entertains Rooney for his Blues dug-out debut on Saturday. And Carrick is convinced Rooney will guide the club to greater heights - after this weekend’s clash of the Old Trafford legends.
The pair won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups, a Champions League and a Europa League together - including an occasional partnership in midfield. They learned from the best including Sir Alex Ferguson, and Carrick has endorsed Rooney, who he speaks to regularly on the phone and considers a friend.
Carrick said: “Wayne loves the game and has a real football brain. He is really intelligent. He was the way he played on the pitch. I really loved playing with him because he was so clever and smart.
“So with that brain I am not surprised he has gone into it. He has got the brain and all the attributes to be a successful manager. Yes, I have spoken to him (since he got the job). We keep in touch. It is great to see him back. He’s been away for a while. I hope he does really well and wish him the best after Saturday.”
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Rooney has bossed Derby then DC United in the MLS before coming home, while Carrick will mark his first year in charge of Boro next week. Carrick added: “We have had similar paths in terms of clubs and managers we have worked for.
"How do you change from player to manager? For me, a football brain is your natural brain. It comes naturally when you see certain things. I never doubted that Wayne would do well moving to coaching or manager if that’s what he chose.
Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney were team-mates and friends at Manchester United (STUART ROBINSON)HAVE YOUR SAY: How will Rooney get on at Birmingham? Let us know in the comments below.
“We don’t always talk about tactics and football! It is like any other friendship. We have known each other a long time now and speak to each other more than others. That is a natural friendship. We are always there for each other and support each other and it will be nice to see him.
The pair would talk tactics at United and try to understand the game together. Carrick, on a five-game winning streak with Boro said: “He played in midfield with me for a period of time at United as a two together. We played a Cup final against Palace and he was a midfielder, he’s played number nine, he’s played ten, he’s played left.
“That sums him up really, his game understanding and intelligence for different roles within the game and whatever football intelligence is. He is probably underrated in that. There is a lot more to him than that and he is a lot smarter and intelligent than that.”