{"id":3772,"date":"2026-03-16T23:48:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T23:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=3772"},"modified":"2026-03-16T23:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T23:48:07","slug":"wayne-rooney-makes-bold-manchester-united-prediction-after-aston-villa-win-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=3772","title":{"rendered":"Wayne Rooney makes bold Manchester United prediction after Aston Villa win | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\"Newcastle\t<\/div>
Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wayne Rooney has suggested Manchester United could finish above Manchester City in the Premier League after their resurgence continued against Aston Villa.<\/p>\n

United clinched an important victory over top-four rivals Villa on Sunday, beating Unai Emery\u2019s side 3-1 thanks to goals from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.<\/p>\n

The impressive win leaves Manchester United with a three-point cushion in third and just seven points behind local rivals Manchester City with eight games remaining.<\/p>\n

United were outside of the Champions League places at the time of Ruben Amorim\u2019s sacking in January but now look certain to qualify for Europe\u2019s top club competition next season.<\/p>\n

The Red Devils have been revitalised under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, taking 22 points from nine games since his return to Old Trafford \u2013 the best return from any Premier League club during that period.<\/p>\n

United\u2019s form has not only put Champions League qualification in their favour but raised home the red side of Manchester could even surpass second-placed Man City.<\/p>\n

Pep Guardiola\u2019s side remain Arsenal\u2019s biggest rival for the Premier League title but successive draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham has seen them slip nine points behind the Gunners. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Manchester\t<\/div>
Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said: \u2018For Michael going in there [to Manchester United], imagine if someone told you they would be sitting comfortably in third place and potentially could they catch Man City for second place?<\/p>\n

\u2018What\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0done has been incredible, he\u2019s\u00a0winning games and the players look happy. He\u2019s\u00a0put United in pole position to get a Champions League spot.\u2019<\/p>\n

Asked whether Carrick should be awarded with the permanent Manchester United job at the end of the season, Rooney added: \u2018100% he should.<\/p>\n

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\u2018I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. I know him very well. I know his character and his personality.<\/p>\n

\u2018It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place. The players needed some love, and he has given them that.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. Why would you change?\u2019<\/p>\n

Carrick was asked about Rooney\u2019s public endorsement after Manchester United\u2019s victory over Aston Villa.<\/p>\n

\u2018There\u2019s not that much noise, is there?\u2019 he said. \u2018I don\u2019t mean Wayne, I just mean in general.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s only noise if you listen to it. It doesn\u2019t affect me one bit, to be honest. I\u2019m in this position at the moment, doing the best I can, and I\u2019m loving it, obviously.<\/p>\n

\u2018But whatever\u2019s going to happen is going happen. It\u2019s all pretty calm. We can definitely enjoy the win and look forward to Friday night. But other than that, that\u2019s all I\u2019m thinking about really.\u2019<\/p>\n

Manchester United will look to continue their impressive form on Friday night when Carrick takes his side to Bournemouth.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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