Wayne Rooney, a legend of Manchester United, has called for drastic changes at Old Trafford and has named just two players he would keep if he were in charge of his old team. The Red Devils are having a dismal season and are now in 14th place in the Premier League standings. It seems doubtful that they will place in the top half of the standings.
With a win providing a path back into the Champions League, the Europa League currently stands as United’s only chance to win a trophy this season following a heartbreaking FA Cup loss to Fulham. Even if the 20-time English champions manage to win some hardware in what has been one of their worst-ever campaigns, Rooney thinks the team needs to cut most of its players in order to get better.
Manchester United’s Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes.
Associated Manchester United’s 2024–2025 roster We divide the players of Manchester United into six groups, including ranked Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Casemiro.
Rooney identifies Mainoo and Fernandes as the only two players United should retain.
The team’s all-time top scorer criticised the other players for their lack of motivation.
Rooney stated in an interview with the Stick to Football podcast that Ruben Amorim ought to try to sell his whole team, with the exception of youthful sensation Kobbie Mainoo and club captain Bruno Fernandes. The Liverpudlian was full of praise for the pair, but he criticised the other members of the team for what he saw as their lack of passion:
“They appear disoriented. They appear frightened. The one who consistently produces is Bruno [Fernandes], who occasionally irritates you but never stops. They need to drastically alter the team; I believe that ten to fifteen guys should be let go. They are obviously incapable of doing that, but there is a mindset that prevents anyone from accepting accountability.
Bruno and [Kobbie] Mainoo are people I would keep. The club has a culture where losing games is too often, and the players publicly lament, “Onto the next one,” and other such nonsense. Simply be a man and battle on the pitch.
Rooney also acknowledged that it was painful to see United, for whom his kids play in the academy, suffer as much as they have recently.
Fernandes and Mainoo’s Manchester United Future
The youngster has been touted with a move away from Manchester United
Regarding the players that Rooney recommended remain with the team, it seems that their prospects could not be more dissimilar. At the beginning of the season, captain Fernandes signed a new, long-term contract that would keep him committed for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, there have been rumours that his midfield counterpart would be forced to leave Old Trafford.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Manchester United became the first team to win the FA Cup final with all of its goal scorers being teens thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo in the 2024 final.
According to reports, Mainoo has turned down the club’s offers of a new contract and is focused on moving overseas. A price of £70 million is expected to be sufficient to persuade the Red Devils to allow the talent to leave, as it would significantly improve their PSR standing, even though United is hesitant to sell him and think that renegotiations could result in a compromise that sees the youth stay.
"I think 10/15 players need to leave the club!" 🚪
Wayne Rooney doesn't hold back on how he feels about the character of the current Manchester United squad. pic.twitter.com/8qas6notxF
— The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) March 13, 2025
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