Wayne Rooney remains certain Michael Carrick should be rewarded with the Manchester United head coach role on a permanent basis.

Carrick has helped United climb to third place in the Premier League table after Sunday's 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

In fact, since Carrick's first league match back in charge of United on January 17, they have earned 22 points in nine Premier League games (W7 D1), more than any other side.

And former Red Devils captain and talisman Rooney says his old team-mate must be given the chance to take the full-time position.

"100% he should [get the job]," Rooney said on BBC's 5Live Sport. "I have said this. I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. I know him very well. I know his character, his personality.

"It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love, and he has given them that."

Carrick has won all six of his Premier League home games with United, becoming just the fourth manager in the competition's history to win their first six such matches.

His impressive returns have also included a derby-day win over Manchester City at Old Trafford, and an eye-catching 3-2 victory away at leaders Arsenal.

Carrick's main challenge will be getting United back into the Champions League, though they sit three points clear of the chasing pack and just seven points behind second-place Man City with eight games remaining.

Bruno Fernandes has continually delivered for Man Utd since Carrick's return, while Benjamin Sesko has found his scoring form, aided by key contributions from Bryan Mbeumo, Casemiro and Matheus Cunha.

And Rooney believes Carrick's man-management skills are coming to the fore, with no doubts in his mind over who should take United into the 2026-27 campaign.

"We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team," he added.

"For me, why would you change? He has got the best winning percentage of any Manchester United manager after that many games. For me, he has to get the job."