SIR JIM RATCLIFFE and Ineos have been told to "get rid" of almost the entire Manchester United squad, or face waiting 15 years to win the Champions League.
Wayne Rooney delivered the brutal verdict while appearing on Sky Sports last night.
Red Devils icon Rooney watched from the studio as Erik ten Hag's side drew their Old Trafford season to a close with a 3-2 win over Newcastle.
A first half goal from Kobbie Mainoo was followed up in the second half with an Amad Diallo thunderbolt and a precise Rasmus Hojlund strike.
Regardless, a run of just one win in eight league games before the Magpies game has left the club's hopes of getting into Europe through the league out of their hands.
Losing to Brighton on Sunday will also confirm this as the club's worst ever points tally in the Premier League era, with the current record being the 58 scored in 2021/22.
Rooney believes there are only a handful of players in the current squad who should be kept on over the next few seasons, including captain Bruno Fernandes.
The club's record goalscorer told Sky Sports: "You have to build the team around Bruno. He's quality and has got fight in him, and then I think all the other players get rid of them."
Stunned Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones then quizzed Rooney about it, to which he added: "I think you keep the young players, and you keep Bruno.
"I think it has to be a massive clear out. It has to be. It's not going to be in one year, but I think it's going to be in the next couple of years."
Man Utd have already taken backroom supremo Omar Berrarda from reigning champions Manchester City, while former City man Jason Wilcox has also joined.
Rooney also warned it could take Man Utd 15 years to add a fourth Champions League to their cabinet.
He explained: "You look at Man City when their new owners came in it took them 15 years to win the Champions League. That's potentially what you might be looking at, you hope not."
Asked about specific players Rooney said Andre Onana had improved after a shaky start, Diogo Dalot had been good and Harry Maguire had been in and out, but declared Man Utd need better players.
He said: "To compete in this league they need better players. Don't get me wrong these players are good players. But to compete with Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal, they need better players."
Rooney was also asked about Marcus Rashford, who has endured a tough season compared to his usual high standards.
He said: "We all know Marcus has the capabilities to play at the top level, and we haven’t seen it.
"I just wonder is it time for Marcus to go and play somewhere else. I think he has to ask himself that question.
"I want him to stay and break records at this club. He needs to work hard and get his head down."
Roy Keane was less optimistic over the squad rebuild.
He said: "We talk about moving players on but it’s hard to move on without players.
"Some of the players here are on huge money and some of them won’t be going anywhere, they wont be budging unless they get paid off.
"A lot of the players have been given an opportunity. There's a lot of worry that these players are constantly injured but if you’re injured all the time you’re no good to anybody.
"OK every club has it’s injuries. But if they’re always injured you can't rely on these players to turn up week in week out for Man United."
Fellow treble winner Andy Cole added: "For me personally the gap won't be closing in the next couple of years.
"If you look at the gap now between Manchester United and Man City, that tells you everything.
"There's no way you will close that gap within two years. Man City will look to kick on again next season.
"That's going to take time, that's a building process, that could be four or five years."
Man Utd will finish their season in the FA Cup with a repeat of last season's final against City next Saturday.