Wayne Rooney says Manchester United stars are ‘selfish’ after Bruno Fernandes outburst

Wayne Rooney has delivered his strongest criticism of Manchester United since retiring, accusing the club’s current players of being “selfish” and behaving “like children” after captain Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned the team’s tactics.

United suffered a 4-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, collapsing in Italy after conceding in the second minute. Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation goal in stoppage time, but the result left the club facing renewed scrutiny.

Fernandes criticised the coaching approach after the match, saying United had failed to press effectively and had begun to “give up” after conceding so early. His comments have increased the pressure on interim manager Michael Carrick.

Rooney responded to the situation on The United Stand podcast on Thursday, referring to earlier criticism from Lisandro Martinez after United’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid.

“When Martinez made his comments, I said this was a real nightmare because it would destroy the dressing room. That was the beginning,” Rooney said.

“We are seeing it now with Bruno, and we will see it with more players because they do not want to take responsibility.”

The former United captain added: “You can judge Bruno’s comments, whether they are right or wrong, but you have to take responsibility on the pitch.

“These players are selfish. They do not care about their team-mates, the manager, the coaching staff or the supporters. All they care about is themselves.

“If they do not get what suits them, they behave like children. They lash out and blame everyone else apart from themselves.”

Pressure grows on Carrick

Rooney’s comments came as signs of division within the United dressing room continued to emerge.

Before Fernandes spoke out, defender Lisandro Martinez had criticised the club’s management following the defeat by Atletico Madrid and called for greater investment if United were to compete with the leading teams.

Carrick, a former team-mate of Rooney’s, is experiencing the most difficult period of his time in charge. He was initially appointed on a temporary basis after Ruben Amorim was dismissed in January, before being handed a contract until 2028 following a short-term improvement in results.

United have now failed to win any of their past seven matches in all competitions. The run has left them 20th in the Champions League standings and 13th in the Premier League.

Rooney’s criticism adds to the scrutiny surrounding Carrick, with the former United midfielder facing growing problems on the pitch and an increasingly unsettled mood within the squad.