Rooney backs Carrick's Man Utd academy interest
Michael Carrick (centre) went to watch Manchester United's Under-21 side with coaches Jonathan Woodgate (left) and Steve Holland (wearing cap) at Leigh last week
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Wayne Rooney has backed Michael Carrick's decision to watch two academy games in his first fortnight in charge of Manchester United and says the move will have a big impact on the club's young players and their parents.
In addition to masterminding Premier League victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, Carrick and his coaching team went to Leigh on Tuesday to watch United's Under 21 side.
Then, on Friday, Carrick sat with Rooney in the directors' box as his son Kai Rooney came off the bench to help United move into the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup by beating Derby.
Although he did see an academy game on a training pitch at Carrington, Ruben Amorim was never spotted watching the club's young players in person at a stadium.
"It is great to see all the coaches taking a big interest in the academy," Rooney told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"In the next few years some of those players might get an opportunity for the first team so it is important they have that interest.
"On Saturday, they were all at the Under-16 game as well before they travelled to London.
"It is great to see that coming back into the club.
"I have been quite vocal on this. It used to be the norm but it has been missing in the last few years.
"With my two lads in the academy, I haven't seen that and it was a bit disappointing.
"The lift it gives to the players, and the players' parents, seeing the first team manager there. That is how the club should be run."