Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney called the club’s players “selfish” and said they were “like babies” after captain Bruno Fernandes questioned the coaching staff’s tactics following Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League thrashing by Como.
United’s collapse at Como left them staring at another damaging defeat, with only a stoppage-time goal from Joshua Zirkzee reducing the margin of loss.
Fernandes said United failed to apply enough pressure and adopted a “mood of defeat” after conceding in the second minute, as the heavy loss intensified scrutiny of manager Michael Carrick.
Earlier this month, defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club’s hierarchy after a 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid, saying he expected greater investment to help the team compete at the highest level. Carrick, a former United midfielder who played alongside Rooney at Old Trafford, was appointed on an interim basis following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January before earning a contract through 2028 after overseeing a dramatic improvement in results. Because they don’t want to take responsibility, we’ve seen it now with Bruno and you’re going to see it with more players.
The criticism follows signs of growing frustration within the squad. “That was the start. You have to take responsibility as a group of players.
“When Martinez came out, I said this is an absolute nightmare because it will rip the dressing room apart,” Rooney told the United Stand podcast on Thursday. “You can say whether Bruno was right or wrong in what he said but you have to take responsibility on the pitch.
Carrick is under growing pressure with United winless in seven matches across all competitions. They are 20th in the Champions League standings and 13th in the Premier League.
