…as Rooney brands players ‘selfish’ and ‘babies’

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will not be disciplined for his post-match criticism of head coach Michael Carrick following the club’s 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como, while former striker Wayne Rooney has branded the players “selfish” and “babies”.

According to the BBC, Fernandes will retain the captaincy despite questioning Carrick’s tactics after Wednesday’s damaging defeat in Italy, which intensified concerns over United’s performances and the manager’s future.

The Portugal international criticised the team’s tactical approach and said it was the responsibility of Carrick and his coaching staff, rather than the players, to identify problems and make the necessary changes.

His comments were widely viewed as a challenge to Carrick’s authority, coming just eight days after defender Lisandro Martinez criticised director of football Jason Wilcox and the club’s summer recruitment.

However, there is sympathy within Old Trafford for Fernandes, who conducted 10 post-match interviews despite being substituted for Joshua Zirkzee midway through the second half. Although some of his remarks have disappointed the club, his frustration is understood given the scale of United’s defeat.

It remains unclear whether Fernandes will feature in Sunday’s Premier League match against Bournemouth. Carrick is expected to address the issue at his pre-match news conference on Friday.

Rooney slams ‘selfish’ Man Utd players

Rooney said he was in “shock” and “disbelief” at United’s performance against Como, adding that he was as worried about the club’s situation as he had been “for a long time”.

Speaking on the United Stand podcast, the former United and England captain said the public criticism from Martinez and Fernandes showed players were shifting blame instead of accepting responsibility.

“When Martinez came out, I said this is an absolute nightmare because it will rip the dressing room apart,” Rooney said. “That was the start. We’ve seen it now with Bruno and you’re going to see it with more players because they don’t want to take responsibility.”

He added: “These players, they’re selfish. They don’t care about their team-mates, don’t care about the manager, the staff or the fans, they care about themselves. If they’re not getting what’s right for them, they’re like babies and just throw their toys out of the pram and go and deflect the blame on to anyone else but themselves.”

Rooney also argued that Fernandes, whose form has declined from last season when he won the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards and set a Premier League assists record, needed to examine his own performances.

“If he looks at himself in the mirror, if Martinez and all of them looked at themselves in the mirror, they’ll find what’s looking back at them is them, and that’s not good enough. They need to show more,” he said.

Rooney urges Carrick to fight for his job

Rooney has also called on United’s board to clarify Carrick’s future, insisting the head coach must stand up for himself amid growing pressure.

Carrick is set to remain in charge for Sunday’s visit of Bournemouth despite speculation over his position following United’s worst run of form since the 2015-16 season.

Reflecting on his own managerial experiences at Plymouth Argyle and Birmingham City, Rooney said Carrick should stop trying to be overly accommodating.

“If I was in Michael Carrick’s position now, I’d come out fighting,” he said. “There’s no more Mr Nice Guy.”

Rooney warned that United’s players could ultimately cost Carrick his job if the club’s leadership failed to address the situation.

“Those players will drag you down and it’s going to be you who’s going to lose your job over it,” he said.