Is the senior squad dragging United into the abyss? The club is mired in a negative spiral, struggling to stay afloat, and Michael Carrick may be the first casualty. Yet Wayne Rooney pins the blame squarely on the senior players.
Seven winless games, a 13th‑place Premier League standing and a 20th spot in the Champions League illustrate United’s dismal start under Michael Carrick, who replaced the sacked Ruben Amorim in January. Lisandro Martínez sparked controversy after the 0‑2 loss to Atlético on October 13, accusing the board of under‑investing during the summer.
Bruno Fernandes later slammed his manager’s tactics after the 1‑4 defeat to Roma mid‑week. Rooney, however, sees a deeper issue. He warned that Martínez’s outburst was just the beginning, adding that Fernandes and more players will tear the locker room apart, as he told The United Stand podcast.
They don’t care about their teammates. If this attitude persists, United could slip even further down the table next season.
The former England international, with 120 caps, accused the senior squad of selfishness that erodes team unity. “They look out only for themselves, ignoring teammates, the manager, staff or fans,” he said, adding that many refuse to self‑reflect. “They’re like babies throwing toys from a stroller and blaming everyone else.”
In my view, United’s leadership crisis is the biggest obstacle they face. Rooney recalled his bond with Sir Alex Ferguson, noting he would have moved mountains for the legend. He added that Fernandes is enduring his worst spell at the club, and if Martínez and others stare into the mirror, they’ll realise their effort simply isn’t enough.