Wayne Rooney, former captain of Manchester United, has once again raised his voice in the midst of the crisis that the English club is going through. In an interview with “The United Stand” network, the 41-year-old veteran vehemently criticized the current squad, calling it “selfish” and accusing it of having “deceived the best coaches.” According to Rooney, the lack of commitment and attitude of the players is the cause of the team's fall in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
The comment comes just after United's bitter 4‑1 defeat against Como in Italy, a result that has put the club in the relegation zone by just one point. The bad streak has been reflected in the domestic table, where the team has lost five of its last eight games. In the midst of this situation, the fans and the media have sought explanations, and the club legend himself has decided to intervene.
“They are selfish people who behave like children,” Rooney said. "I was a player who could score goals and had certain technical qualities, but at least I ran a lot, worked hard and did my best for the team, even when things got difficult. But these players don't do that." The former Everton player added that, despite having trained under the direction of high-level coaches, the players have not shown the necessary effort to justify the shirt they wear. “They have already worked with very high-level coaches and have been completely fooled every time,” he continued.
Rooney also expressed his desire to enter the locker room and confront his teammates. "I'd love to walk into that locker room, round them all up and say, 'What the hell are you doing? Do you think you deserve to wear that jersey?' I'd like to kick their asses, because they're doing absolutely nothing." According to the former player, the lack of dedication is causing the fans to turn against him and the club to lose the credibility it once had.
Rooney's message comes at a critical time for Manchester United, which urgently needs a change of mentality and a return to the values that have made it great. The club's management has not officially commented on the interview, but the pressure on the coaching staff and squad is intensifying. What is clear is that, according to the club legend himself, the team must show that the shirt means something and that the players are willing to work to achieve it. The next phase will be crucial to decide if United manages to reverse their decline or if the crisis extends beyond the season.