Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes the club’s recent derby victory provided a long-awaited revival of the “Sir Alex Ferguson factor” at Old Trafford. Following United’s impressive 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday, Rooney noted that the energy within the stadium reached levels unseen for over a decade. He credited interim manager Michael Carrick for reconnecting the fans with the team, suggesting the performance reignited the fighting spirit and belief that once defined the club’s golden era.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former captain highlighted how Carrick’s simplified approach transformed the squad’s output compared to the final days of Ruben Amorim’s tenure. Rooney observed that the players embraced a high-intensity work rate, particularly praising wingers Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu for their defensive discipline and devastating counter-attacking play. Bryan Mbeumo and Dorgu provided the second-half goals that sealed the win, but Rooney insisted the true victory lay in the team’s rediscovered resilience and bravery on the ball.
The win marked a drastic shift from the tactical struggles under Amorim, who left the club earlier this month. Rooney emphasized that the players’ willingness to “run and work hard” resonated deeply with the home support, creating an atmosphere that bridged the gap between the current generation and the Ferguson years. By moving away from complex back-three systems and focusing on fundamental effort, Carrick successfully navigated his first match in charge, leaving United fans hopeful for a strong finish to the campaign.
Rooney shared his analysis on BBC Sport: “I wasn’t at the stadium, I was in the BBC studios, but did you see the difference in the stadium? Even when he [Michael Carrick] walked out before the game and he’s trying to pump the crowd up. I think the fans felt something yesterday. They got a taste of what it was like under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Some of the young fans who have been through a terrible time over the last 10, 13 years, really, since Fergie left. They haven’t witnessed a team perform that well. I’ve been part of some of those teams as well. I’ve played in some of them. They haven’t witnessed a team perform that well, with that energy and that belief in their fighting and being brave with the ball, but also being resilient and tough to play against.”
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