Rooney brands United’s seniors as selfish babies amid slump

Wayne Rooney has blasted Manchester United’s senior squad, calling them “They are like babies who throw their toys”, while the club languishes in a negative spiral – seven games without a win, sitting 13th in the Premier League and 20th in the Champions League. He quoted the French line “Ils sont comme des bébés qui jettent leurs jouets” to describe the senior players. Rooney warned that the lack of humility was tearing the dressing‑room apart. He added that even he and Sir Alex Ferguson sometimes fell out, yet on the pitch he would have “walked through a wall” for the manager.

According to Rooney, the senior cohort “only cares about themselves, not their teammates, the manager, the staff or the fans”. He singled out the team’s “cadres” as the main culprits for the loss of cohesion. “Mais Wayne Rooney estime que les principaux fautifs sont les joueurs.” He said, “When Martinez spoke, I said it was an absolute nightmare because it would rip the dressing‑room,” predicting similar outbursts from Bruno Fernandes and other players.

United's spiralling season

Lisandro Martinez sparked the controversy after United’s 0‑2 defeat to Atlético in the Champions League on 13 October, accusing the hierarchy of failing to invest over the summer. His outburst was followed by Bruno Fernandes, who criticised the tactical choices after a 1‑4 loss to Como mid‑week. Both comments fed into the growing unrest within the squad.

Discipline dilemma looms as United search for Carrick successor

Michael Carrick took over as head coach in January, replacing Ruben Amorim who was dismissed earlier that month. Carrick’s tenure has been marked by a seven‑match winless run, leaving United 13th in the Premier League and 20th in the Ligue des champions. Observers suggest Carrick could be the first “fuse” to blow if results do not improve.

United’s position in the Premier League reflects a season that has failed to meet expectations, with the club hovering near the relegation zone. In the Champions League, the 20th‑place standing threatens an early exit from the competition. The combination of poor results and internal dissent has intensified calls for decisive action.

Rooney’s harsh verdict underscores a belief that the players’ selfishness must be addressed before any managerial changes can succeed. The club’s current crisis suggests that both the dressing‑room atmosphere and on‑field performance need a reset, or the “fuse” may indeed blow.