Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick recently contacted old teammate Wayne Rooney about the recruitment of a potential new player.
It has been a busy period of transfer business for the Boro boss, who has welcomed twelve new signings into the club. Carrick conceded in a report by Gazette Live that he utilised that relationship with former Manchester United legend Rooney, who was perfectly placed to offer his assessment and advice before the acquisition of one of those players.
Central-midfielder Lewis O’Brien had been on loan at US side D.C. United last season, the club Rooney has managed since July 2022. Upon returning to parent club Nottingham Forest this summer, the Boro supremo was alerted to his availability and did not hesitate in speaking to Rooney.
Michael Carrick sounded out his ex-teammate of over ten years about the qualities of the combative 24-year-old before making his move to sign him.
O’Brien desperate to do well
The Manchester United and England legend who is often referred to as ‘Wazza’ gave a glowing report of the once Huddersfield Town midfielder, who managed one goal in eighteen appearances in the MLS league.
Carrick admitted, “I had a chat with Wayne Rooney about Lewis [O’Brien] and he had really good things to say.
“He really enjoyed his time over there and it was a new experience for him both as a player and a person, and adds to what he can bring to us. We’re looking forward to getting him settled in.”
Carrick has always made clear the need for new players to fit the desired requirements in terms of character and off the field traits. He added, “He’s a really good, humble and hard-working lad who is desperate to do well. We talk about the player and what he can bring [on the pitch] but actually the person themselves and fitting into the group is what we class as being vital. He certainly ticks all of the boxes.”
O’Brien was part of the Huddersfield Town side who narrowly missed out on promotion, ironically losing a play-off final to his future employers Nottingham Forest, who signed him during that summer. Forest made an astonishing 21 signings during that window, and O’Brien struggled to make his mark.
The addition of the midfielder to the Boro squad has to be seen as a shrewd piece of business from the Teesside club. Judging by the brief cameo he gave after coming on as a substitute in the home defeat to QPR, fans saw enough to be encouraged and excited at his potential first team inclusion.
He covers a lot of ground and is the kind of robust, box-to-box enforcer that the side may just need in order to turn around their fortunes.