Rooney: Some Man Utd players 'don't deserve to wear the shirt'

By John Ogunsemore

Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer and former captain, Wayne Rooney has launched a scathing criticism of the club’s current squad, stating that some players “don’t deserve to wear the shirt”.

The 39-year-old’s critique comes amid United’s dismal start to the Premier League season.

In the latest episode of his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the ex-England captain expressed deep frustration with Ruben Amorim’s side, describing the club as “broken” and admitting he now attends matches “expecting” defeats.

United sit 14th in the table following a 3-1 loss to Brentford on Saturday, having earned just 34 points from 33 league games under Amorim.

Rooney, who scored 253 goals for United during his playing career from 2004 to 2017, reserved his harshest words for the players.

“I’m seeing players not deserving to wear the shirt. And it hurts,” he said.

“This is not acceptable, what’s going on. I don’t recognise the whole football club. I don’t see players fighting, I don’t see character, I don’t see desire to win.”

Rooney also voiced a lack of confidence in Amorim’s ability to reverse the team’s fortunes, stating he has “no faith” in the Portuguese tactician.

Despite the criticism, United officials are reportedly standing by Amorim, who took over in November 2024.

Rooney extended his concerns beyond the pitch, calling for clearer direction from the club’s ownership.

He urged the Glazer family and minority stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe to provide a “message of where this club is going,” warning that fans are “waiting for it to crumble.”

He added that the side “needs a new engine” to restore its competitive edge.