Rooney names four ‘really evident’ Man Utd changes as Carrick nails ‘United DNA’ in first outing | OneFootball

Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney has heaped praise on Michael Carrick for bringing back the “United DNA” to Old Trafford in a 2-0 win over Man City on Saturday.

The Red Devils were brilliant against the Citizens as Carrick claimed a well-earned victory in his first game as Man Utd’s new interim manager.

Carrick was given the job until the end of the season, when Man Utd are expected to announce a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim, and he aced his first test.

Many former players have claimed that Man Utd are yet to play with ‘United DNA’ since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club as manager in 2013.

But Rooney was impressed by Carrick reverting to that type of football in an impressive victory over Man City, in which Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scored the goals in a result which could have been even more comfortable.

Rooney told BBC Sport: “Obviously I’m absolutely delighted. I think the team spirit, the work rate, the energy, everything about that team was fantastic today. I’m absolutely buzzing for the players, for the fans – the fans have been starved of that over the last few years. I know it’s only one performance but I think everyone could see how exciting that team can be.

“You hear everyone, especially us as ex-players, talk about the United DNA and that has just shown what it is. Work rate off the ball, wingers getting back filling in and helping out the full-backs.

“And the goals; crosses in the box and desire to get on the end of it. The first goal, counter-attack, sitting in and breaking fast – that is the United DNA and that was what we’ve been missing. And hopefully this continues.

“The work rate, the shape, the organisation of Manchester United today, the desire to get back and double up and help your teammates out and tackle and run without the ball, as quickly backwards and you do forwards. I think that was really evident today.”

Goalscorer Mbeumo thought the atmosphere at Old Trafford was “unbelievable” against Man City and claims Man Utd “used the energy of the fans” to win.

When asked if it was the most special day he’s had at Man Utd so far, Mbeumo replied: “I think it’s one of them. Scoring in front of this stand is unbelievable. Derby is even more and like Licha [Martinez] said, we used the energy of the fans today. This place was unbelievable today.”

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On there being a lot of change while at AFCON, Mbeumo added: “When I came back a lot of things changed. I think we have a very good group. We always stick together. We have a fantastic unit, so it is unbelievable.

“It is a bit of everything. It is not easy because we only had three days. Because we are all together, we all want to win the same way with the same aim.”

Mbeumo’s team-mate Lisandro Martinez, added: “Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Being here with the fans, with the team we really know how we suffer during the season. But the only way is putting the face here and showing here who we are. Today is the best moment to do it. Not just the players on the pitch, the staff, everyone was part of that.

“I think one important thing that Michael Carrick said was ‘use the energy of the people’ and today I think we did it and when we are together like this it is impossible to lose at home.

“When you play against these kind of players, the team defend. Not just one or two players. Today we defend so good, we were compact all the times. And then you have the confidence to go to the duels. Today you feel a different energy when you see the eyes of the players. Today the team won and that is the most important thing.”