According to a report by Metro on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has urged manager Michael Carrick to drop Bruno Fernandes from the starting lineup for Sunday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth, arguing that the captain needs time to recover physically and mentally.

Carrick is under increasing pressure ahead of the encounter at Old Trafford after United suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Como, extending their poor start to the season.

The defeat marked Manchester United's worst start to a campaign since 1986, intensifying criticism of Carrick and his players as frustration continues to build around the club.

Fernandes also came under scrutiny after publicly questioning Carrick's tactics following the defeat in Italy. However, United have opted against disciplining their captain, unlike Lisandro Martinez, who was fined after criticising club officials following the loss to Atletico Madrid.

Rooney believes Fernandes could benefit from taking a temporary break from the spotlight, suggesting that the Portuguese midfielder has lost some of his usual sharpness after a demanding period of football.

Speaking on The United Stand, Rooney said: "I think it’s at a point now where he might need a little break,"

"He might need the manager to tell him to go on a little holiday because he had a long season and then a long World Cup."

The former United striker added that Fernandes has played too many matches without adequate recovery, which may have affected the energy and intensity he usually brings to his performances.

"He might need to go away and recharge the batteries because he’s played a lot of games and he doesn’t look like he’s got that sharpness or that bite about him," Rooney explained.

Rooney also recalled how former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson occasionally gave Cristiano Ronaldo unexpected breaks, believing the approach helped the Portuguese forward maintain his energy and performance levels throughout demanding seasons.

He urged Carrick to consider a similar approach with Fernandes, warning that the midfielder's continued involvement under pressure could increase his frustration and prevent him from delivering his best performances.

Rooney further criticised United's attitude following the defeat to Como, describing the players as selfish and accusing them of avoiding responsibility instead of accepting collective accountability.

The former England captain stressed that every player must support the manager, their teammates and the supporters, regardless of any disagreements, as Manchester United look to recover from their disappointing result before facing Bournemouth.