Rooney is in fine form with Derby (Getty)Rooney, of course, had been at that level for even longer.
“It was incredible. From the time when he scored against Arsenal for Everton [in 2002] – I mean he was a
name before that - but that was an explosion on the scene. We’re talking about young lads dealing with
pressures and press and media. He almost didn’t care about that and every time something was asked of him
he stepped up and embraced it and grew even bigger. Just an incredible talent, almost freakish in the way he
could deal with things and his mentality was incredible.
“You just have to be able to deal with it. Compare myself to Wayne, for instance. We are totally different
characters and we deal with things differently. But you have got to be mentally able to cope. To play for
United, you have to deal with it. We have got a young group of lads that have come from different pathway
- some from abroad, some from lower leagues, some from other places. But the jump to United does take
some adjustment. That is the challenge, but it is an exciting challenge. To be fair they have taken that on
board and we are just trying to keep developing them. But there is certainly that expectation that is standard
and comes with it. That is just how it is.” Carrick can see Rooney taking the next jump, and following him
into full-time coaching.
“I’d say so yeah. He knows the game so well, he’s intelligent on the pitch, and he’s gone on to lead like he
did in his final years at United, as one of the older ones in the dressing room with me in the dressing-room.
So he definitely took that role on. Therefore it wouldn’t surprise me if he stayed in the game for a long
time.”
“He only lives five minutes down the road from me. I don't speak to him as much as I should, it is typical
footballers isn't it? I definitely keep in touch with him.”
There’ll be warm words on Thursday, as Rooney will be in midfield, and Carrick will be on the sidelines.
That distance suits the latter fine for now.