Wayne Rooney has sensationally accused Manchester United players of not wanting to play and suggested some are even feigning injuries.
United slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday and are at risk of missing out on European football altogether at the end of a torrid season.
Embattled boss Erik ten Hag is believed to be at risk of the sack with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS expected to make sweeping changes at the club.
Ten Hag's squad has been ravaged by a spate of injuries over the campaign, however, forcing him to again field Casemiro and Jonny Evans at centre back.
But Rooney, United's all-time record scorer, pulled no punches in his assessment of United's current crop and believes some players lack the fight to feature.
'You need to want to play. I played with injuries,' he told Sky Sports.
'The manager needs to be ruthless and take that opportunity away from you. As long you haven't got a bad injury you should want to play on that football pitch.
'For me that doesn't seem that's the case.'
Key starters Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Raphael Varane were again missing for the loss to the league leaders.
Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelof and Mason Mount were also ruled out, forcing Ten Hag to name another youthful bench.
The under pressure Ten Hag has often taken aim at the attitude of his players this season and Rooney believes this should sting for those in the dressing room.
In another scathing verdict, he added: 'Some of these players have to look at themselves because when your manager is doing an interview and talking about attitudes not being right to play for Manchester United, that is a massive insult.
'If I saw my manager saying that, there's no way I'd let that ride until the end of the season. And it looks like some players are just trying to get to the end of the season.
'It's easy when you've got a European Championships and FA Cup Final coming up, it's easy because they're getting a little bit of stick to stay out of it and come back towards the final. You've seen it, I've seen it over the years.
'I just think the players that have been "injured", they're not filling themselves with any credit and the manager is going to take all the stick for that.'
BrintonC
0
But same Rooney once said CR7 was their problem. Confused fellow.
You hold onto that dream...
omochris
0
You believe everything you read in the press...gullible!!! Pep wouldn't have touched Ronaldo with a 10 foot pole. His ego has made him unmanageable.
Keep wallowing in your hypocrisy and ignorance. You will soon realise that Karma is real. The worse is yet to hit Man Utd until they offer public apology to CR7!!!
BrintonC
0
But same Rooney once said CR7 was their problem. Confused fellow.
You believe everything you read in the press...gullible!!! Pep wouldn't have touched Ronaldo with a 10 foot pole. His ego has made him unmanageable.
jhkr
0
Don't you think he's earned the right to...??
in some issues bt still not too much
omochris
0
Ronaldo has no respect for any badge that he plays for. It's all about his personal achievements and goals. When he can't get his way, he has a hissy. He was not bigger than the United badge...and it was made know to him. Why do you think none of the big European clubs wanted to sign him?
You're an ingrate. For failing to realise that CR7 turned down Man City's offer all because of his loyalty and respect for Man Utd.
BrintonC
0
But same Rooney once said CR7 was their problem. Confused fellow.
Ronaldo has no respect for any badge that he plays for. It's all about his personal achievements and goals. When he can't get his way, he has a hissy. He was not bigger than the United badge...and it was made know to him. Why do you think none of the big European clubs wanted to sign him?
BrintonC
0
Dat Rooney has relegated every club has coached sofar so he should stay away from talking about man u struggles
Don't you think he's earned the right to...??
Cityfanchamp23
2
how did Wayne Rooney end up looking like that?
SkdArafat
1
for real that's the truth guys play like they don't feel it
omochris
0
CR7 was a problem...his attitude was sh!t!!
It's obvious you're one of those blind bias man u fan. You better leave CR7 alone and focus on 10hang who has succeeded in hanging your club.
jhkr
0
He may have failed as a coach, but he sure knows how to kick a ball. This current batch could learn a thing ot two from his playing career.
no one argues about that but he speaks too much
BrintonC
0
But same Rooney once said CR7 was their problem. Confused fellow.
CR7 was a problem...his attitude was sh!t!!
BrintonC
0
Dat Rooney has relegated every club has coached sofar so he should stay away from talking about man u struggles
He may have failed as a coach, but he sure knows how to kick a ball. This current batch could learn a thing ot two from his playing career.
BrintonC
0
That's the problem...players today are weak. Any little bump and they need 6 weeks to recover. You need also consider that the conditions around the players are not exactly the best. That broken roof at Old Trafford and the deteriorating facilities at Carrington tend to lean towards an 'I don't care' attitude from management...so why then should the players care??
hipimnost
0
just like how you did right now
I know, right?😂😂 Still pisses me off though
Riju98
0
I can't wait for the goat era to end. Am sick and tired of fans in the comment section always turning everything into Messi this, CR7 that, even when the article has nothing to do with them
just like how you did right now
cincdmrz
0
He bought all those flop players like onana
hipimnost
1
I can't wait for the goat era to end. Am sick and tired of fans in the comment section always turning everything into Messi this, CR7 that, even when the article has nothing to do with them
Vowiklmosu
0
Hire Looney to be disciplinary master in Man U and get rid of useless fraker players
Olivergrant2401
0
to me alot of these past players blind to the game!!! ten hag should have changed our formation to either 4-3-3 direct or 3-4-1-2 and shift few players around, just try something but ten hag tried nothing but made wrong subs again...our team needed more players up top pushing up on arsenal defenders but trust me ten hag failed us again on that! the players aren't perfect but 1 more ten hag error.
malablata
4
The same dead guy that started Man Utd problem by starting to attack Ronaldo when he saw that Ronaldo could break his record as Man Utd all time top scorer. His selfishness is what he used to cause this problem for Man Utd today.......Jealous old looking guy.
Abatism
1
Meanwhile, who wins between Ronaldo, Greenwood, ETG and Wayne Rooney now? Mcheew!!!
kahacdouyz
0
am surprised Varane is bn mentioned when Maguire is preferred
ArChels
3
Give Rooney the job and see where we will find Utd at the end of next season.
Gannymalta
1
Do not mix: every player wants to reward the coach's choice of him. It's a huge privilege for a player to be in a starting 11 for United. It is NOT true that the beneficiaries of the privileges, the players, forsake their integrity and try to ashame their coach: that is unequalled gratitude. Simply, these are good players, but they lack an edge and purpose because of miscommunication and laissez faire approach. Injuries, is what people see! But there were other players at United, not the injured ones only
Laacenuy
0
I have never see them talk about Rashford
bro is an English player and he's an over hype flop likewise Mount and Antony
omochris
6
But same Rooney once said CR7 was their problem. Confused fellow.
jhkr
5
Dat Rooney has relegated every club has coached sofar so he should stay away from talking about man u struggles
deabeilpsz
2
I have never see them talk about Rashford
Nelsonmartial
1
It's true our legend long live
Bouaeiosuy
0
Yes Rooney tell them they not running built the team around Amarabt he was amazing today .
Amrabat is worth to keep, he just need abit polish & game time
meniklmsu
3
Yes Rooney tell them they not running built the team around Amarabt he was amazing today .
kesbdeipsu
0
exactly they should be sack