Wayne Rooney, a Manchester United legend, believes that significant changes in the team’s players are necessary to improve the club’s performance. Manchester United is currently experiencing its worst Premier League season in history, heading towards a potentially record-low finish since their relegation 51 years ago. Their last hope for a trophy lies in the Europa League, which also presents the most realistic opportunity for qualifying for European competitions in the 2025/26 season. Despite co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ambition of winning the Premier League by 2028, Rooney, a former player with 12 major titles and a record 253 goals for the club over 13 years, believes that replacing as many as 15 current squad members is essential for any chance of a successful resurgence. Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football on The Overlap network, Rooney described the existing group of players as looking “lost” and “scared”. Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo are the only players the former captain said he would actually keep: “Bruno is the one who keeps producing, he annoys you at times but keeps producing. I’d keep Bruno and Mainoo. “They need massive changes to the squad, I think 10-15 players need to leave the club. Obviously, they can’t do that, but there is a mentality there where no one is taking responsibility [in the squad],” Rooney explained. The 39-year-old also suggested that there isn’t enough consequence for bad results. “There is a culture at the club where it’s too easy to lose games and the players come out and say, ‘Onto the next one,’ and all that rubbish. Just show some character and fight on the pitch,” he said. “It’s bad watching, it hurts. Being from Liverpool but spending so many years at United, I want the team to do well, I’ve got my kids in the academy, and it hurts watching them.”