Wayne Rooney has criticized Manchester United, stating the team looks “lost” and “scared” on the pitch, and suggesting that “10 to 15 players need to leave the club.” United currently sit 14th in the Premier League, trailing behind clubs like Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, and Nottingham Forest. With only nine wins from 28 league matches, they have already been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions. Their only remaining chance at silverware this season hinges on the Europa League, where they face Real Sociedad in a crucial last-16 second-leg match at Old Trafford.
Despite hopes for improvement following Ruben Amorim’s appointment to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag, the Portuguese coach has managed just five wins in 17 Premier League games. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Rooney was blunt when asked if the current squad could turn things around, replying, “No, I don’t think so.” He described the team as “lost” and “scared to make a mistake,” while praising Bruno Fernandes for consistently delivering performances, though he admitted Fernandes can be frustrating at times. Rooney believes the squad needs a major overhaul but acknowledged it is unrealistic to expect such sweeping changes.
He also highlighted a lack of responsibility among players, suggesting they pass the ball around without taking charge during difficult moments. Rooney singled out Fernandes and teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as players worth keeping but criticized the team’s culture of accepting poor performances. He expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s bad watching, it hurts,” especially given his long history with the club and his children being part of United’s academy.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently echoed Rooney’s concerns, stating in a BBC interview that some players are “not good enough” and “probably overpaid.” Amorim, when asked about these comments ahead of the Sociedad clash, admitted that both he and the players are underperforming but emphasized that things could still improve.
