Wayne Rooney's frustration towards the Manchester United dressing room was clear to see as he launched an X-rated rant
Wayne Rooney was left incandescent at Manchester United's struggles.
Wayne Rooney was left incandescent at Manchester United's struggles. (Image: Stick to United/YouTube)
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Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney says he would love to go into the dressing room and put a firework 'up their a***' in foul-mouthed rant. The 41-year-old questioned the guile of the dressing room, claiming that it looks like they don't care on the pitch.
United are reeling once again as they pick the pieces up from Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Head coach Michael Carrick is under increasing scrutiny and faces an Old Trafford axe after a run of two wins in 11 matches.
While Carrick was applauded off after disappointment last time out, the players were subjected to jeers while the club's hierarchy also received criticism in the wake of the Cherries' win. Rooney's colourful and animated outburst came after his frustration boiled over, highlighting a like of fight.
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He said on the Stick to United podcast: "The players haven't got a leg to stand on. What's not fair is the performances they're giving. I looked at the fans, you could see the pain and anger in their faces when them players are walking around the football pitch. You see Martinez when Rayan ran round him, they're not getting to the ball, it's so frustrating.
"I could score a goal, had ability or whatever, at least I f****** ran and put myself about as a team. These players are not doing that.
"I'd love to go in that dressing room, walk in that dressing room and say, 'what the f*** are use all doing?' What type of performances do you think this is? Do you think you deserve to wear the shirt? Put a f****** firework up their a**** because they're not doing anything.
"We're seeing players who are numb, look like they've got no emotion, look like they don't care, some of them might care, some good lads who are getting dragged down. It's so frustrating to watch."
Earlier, United's all-time leading goalscorer pinned the blame on the players for not fulfilling their potential. Rooney accused the group of providing false hope to the supporters and owners after turning around their fortunes during Carrick's interim spell last season, which resulted in a third-place finish and Champions League football.
While noting his former teammate has struggled in the dugout, Rooney said: "We're not that Manchester United, look a million miles from the previous winning teams, the fundamentals of the game still have to be there.
"It's at best a mid-table team but if you look at all the mid-table teams, what do they get? They get players working hard, running, tackling and I keep saying it, going back to the basics. These players think they're better than what they are.
"Unfortunately, what happened when Michael Carrick came in at the start is that it's gave them players and the board false hope that they are get enough. He's done well, stuck together, managed somehow to finish third, then the board are thinking, 'we're a top four team' when in reality they're miles away from it.
"You're deluded if they think the front three are good enough. They wanted Premier League players, they've brought lads from Wolves, Brentford, who have done well but for signings to take this Manchester United team to the next level, you're living in cuckoo land if you think they're going to achieve that.
"The squad is absolutely a million miles away. The worst thing for Michael Carrick, he's gave the board a bit of hope when in reality, they needed a big overhaul and have done for years. The midfield, spending that amount on them midfielders, is absolutely crazy. I feel for Michael, he's being let down, he hasn't been good enough but the players have let him down massively."
He added: "There's a chip on the shoulders, I hate coming out (criticising) because I love the club but when I'm looking at them players, the amount of managers that have been sacked by these players.
"Michael Carrick has won five Premier League titles, Champions League, he knows how to win at this club, knows what the standards are to win and you've got these players walking all over him."