Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has finally broken his silence on the long decline of his former club. The Red Devils, once feared across Europe, have been struggling to maintain consistency ever since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. While many pundits point to tactics, transfers, and managerial changes as the root of the problem, Rooney believes there is one deeper issue that has been overlooked.
According to the former United captain, the club’s biggest weakness over the past decade is not simply about coaching or player quality—it’s about the absence of strong dressing-room leaders who once held the team together.
The Turning Point: When the Senior Core Disappeared
Rooney reflected on a key moment that, in his view, marked the beginning of United’s internal collapse. That moment came when he and veteran midfielder Michael Carrick departed Old Trafford, leaving behind a squad without a stable group of leaders.
“I left in 2017, and at that time it was basically just me and Michael Carrick left from that group,” Rooney revealed on Rio Meets via Football Insider.
“We looked at the players coming through behind us and thought, ‘Who’s going to lead this dressing room?’ Ashley Young was there, of course, but you didn’t have a leadership group anymore. That’s when things started to change.”
Rooney stressed that during the Sir Alex era, Manchester United always had a cluster of leaders in the squad—players who were not only skilled but also carried the responsibility of maintaining the club’s winning mentality. When those figures disappeared, so did the team’s identity.
A Talented Generation Without a Guiding Voice
The former England striker was quick to acknowledge that United’s post-2017 squad was filled with exciting talent. Players like Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, and Marcus Rashford had all the ability in the world. However, Rooney argued that technical brilliance alone was not enough.
“Jesse, Pogba, Marcus—fantastic players, really talented footballers,” he admitted.
“But the question is: who among them was going to step up, take responsibility, and preserve the soul of the dressing room? Since Michael and I left, I just don’t think that’s been there anymore.”
In Rooney’s eyes, the squad had stars but no guardians of the culture. Without leaders to demand higher standards, the team’s mentality became fragile, especially in high-pressure situations.
The Impact Under Ruben Amorim
Fast-forward to the current era under manager Ruben Amorim, and Rooney’s words appear almost prophetic. Despite some bright spells, United remain inconsistent, fragile, and unable to sustain momentum in big competitions.
Amorim’s record has raised eyebrows, with more defeats than victories in key stretches of his tenure. The recent humiliating loss to lower-league side Grimsby Town only reinforced the perception that the Red Devils lack resilience.
Rooney’s warning about leadership echoes loudest during such moments. Without commanding voices on the pitch to rally the squad, United have looked vulnerable whenever adversity strikes.
Last season’s Europa League final defeat against Tottenham further highlighted the problem. A squad brimming with talent still crumbled under pressure because nobody stepped up to inspire or guide the team in the decisive moments.
Why Rooney’s Perspective Matters
Unlike outside pundits, Rooney’s viewpoint comes with the weight of experience. He not only won multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League with United but also wore the captain’s armband, carrying the responsibility of leading a dressing room full of stars.
His criticism is less about blaming current players individually and more about pointing to a systemic issue: Manchester United no longer have the kind of leaders who set the standards, hold teammates accountable, and embody the club’s winning DNA.
Until United rebuild that leadership core—whether by nurturing it from within or recruiting players with that mentality—their struggles could persist no matter who sits in the dugout.
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