Michael Owen (left) and Michael Carrick played together for Manchester United from 2009 to 2012. Michael Owen has said he "can't believe people are questioning" whether Michael Carrick should become the permanent manager of Manchester United. Former midfielder Carrick, who made 464 appearances for United, was appointed caretaker head coach after the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January.

The 44-year-old has won six of his eight matches in charge and the club have moved from sixth to third in the Premier League. Former Manchester United and England striker Owen, who played with Carrick at Old Trafford between 2009 and 2012, believes he has "brought a calm back to the club".

"I can't believe people are questioning whether he should get the job," Owen said on the latest edition of BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show. "Manchester United have waited about 12 years - they've gone for proven, legends, everything since Sir Alex Ferguson."

"And the one time they are starting to play well, get results, the fans are on board - you're telling me at the end of the season if he gets third [place] they will say 'thanks, but no thanks'. How is that possible?"

Rooney, who has praised Carrick and previously said the caretaker has given United fans a taste of the Fergie era, is in agreement with Owen. "Everyone at Manchester United loves Michael Carrick and they are just scared it doesn't go right. He's done an unbelievable job," Rooney said.

The club are understood to be looking at other candidates - along with Carrick - to take over as permanent manager in the summer.

Rooney Meets: Michael Owen... Who Was Better At 18? Rooney (left) scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for England, while Owen scored 40 in his 89 caps.

Rooney and Owen were at the centre of an intense "who was better?" debate last year. The conversation began in September when Owen backed himself, external in reply to a question of 'who was better aged 17 - himself or Rooney?'. Owen said injuries had hindered his own career, before adding: "He'll go down as a better player than me. But, at 17, please..."

However, the 2001 Ballon d'Or winner was more diplomatic on Rooney's podcast when they considered who was the better footballer at 18. Owen recalled the period when the player who picked up the nickname 'Wazza' emerged as a teenage England star at Euro 2004 - six years after Owen made a similar splash at the 1998 World Cup.

"It felt like it took me ages to become England's number one striker and it felt like I was only there for two weeks before he came along and I had to become the sideshow," said Owen, who played 89 times for England compared to Rooney's 120 appearances.

Rooney was complimentary of his podcast guest. "I used to pretend to be Michael in the World Cup in 1998, and then I was in the squad and playing up front with him," Rooney said. "I was in the garden two years before hitting the ball against my nan's wall pretending to be Michael and all of a sudden I'm playing alongside him."

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