Wayne Rooney has questioned Manchester United’s commitment and accused the club’s players of failing to meet the standards expected at Old Trafford after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth.
The former United captain said the squad needed to show greater effort, take responsibility for its performances and recognise the significance of representing one of football’s biggest clubs.
Rooney also defended head coach Michael Carrick, despite growing uncertainty over the former midfielder’s future. He said Carrick understood what was required to succeed at Manchester United because of his experience of winning major honours with the club.
The comments came after United’s 4-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League, following which Rooney accused some members of the squad of being selfish.
Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, the former England striker questioned whether the current players fully understood the demands associated with playing for Manchester United.
“These players think they’re better than they are,” Rooney said.
United’s latest setback saw them concede three times without scoring against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, 25 October. Rooney said he was frustrated by what he regarded as a lack of effort from some players and believed their performances had fallen well below the level supporters should expect.
He said he would like to address the squad directly and challenge them to explain their displays.
“I’d like to go into that dressing room, sit them down and ask them: ‘What are you doing? What kind of performances do you think you’re putting in? Do you think you deserve to wear this shirt?’” he said.
Rooney also called for a strong reaction from the players, using crude language to express his belief that they needed a wake-up call.
Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer was particularly concerned by what he saw as a lack of emotion among some members of the squad. He suggested certain players did not appear to understand the seriousness of the club’s position.
However, Rooney accepted that individual performances could be influenced by the broader problems affecting the team. His assessment reflects increasing frustration with a side that has struggled to produce the consistency expected at Manchester United, leaving supporters disappointed by another defeat at home.
While criticising the players, Rooney gave his backing to Carrick, his former Manchester United team-mate.
He pointed to Carrick’s record during his playing career, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League trophy he won in 2008.
Rooney said those achievements meant Carrick knew the standards required to win at the club.
“He knows what the standards are to win at this club,” he said.
