Classy way Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney helped struggling Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick land signing

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney provided some vital transfer advice to former teammate and struggling Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.

The ex-United midfielder enjoyed a successful tenure at the Riverside Stadium last season and led Boro to the Championship play-offs. Supporters in the North East had high hopes for this year's campaign with dreams of promotion still there but it's been a shaky start to the season following some key departures.

Carrick's side are without a win after the opening five fixtures and have just one point to show for their efforts, sitting rock bottom of the Championship table.

As such, pressure was on the club to make moves late in the window and Carrick made sure he was well read up before making any decisions.

Middlesbrough signed Lewis O'Brien on loan from Nottingham Forest on August 31 and the Boro boss put a call in with Rooney, who had worked with the midfielder at DC United. O'Brien spent a few months on loan at the MLS club and impressed Rooney during that spell.

Carrick told TeesideLive “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.

"I think Lewis is a very good footballer and has gained very good experience of success at this level as well. He knows what it takes in this league. He gives us good variety and is a little bit different to what we’ve got. But at the same time, we feel that he will be able to fit in quite quickly.

"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 made his Boro debut on Saturday, coming off the bench for 21 minutes in a home fixture against QPR. However, the midfielder couldn't change the outcome of the match as the London side left the North East 2-0 winners.