Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has delivered a damning assessment of the current squad's training ground mentality, painting a stark picture of declining standards at his former club.
The Old Trafford legend didn't hold back in his criticism, suggesting that today's players lack the relentless drive that characterised his generation. "I see too many players who are just going through the motions," Rooney revealed. "The intensity, the desire to improve every single day - that seems to have diminished."
The Staggering Contrast in Professionalism
Rooney highlighted the dramatic difference between the current regime and the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson. "When I was at United, every training session was treated like a cup final. Players would stay behind for hours, working on weaknesses, studying opponents. Now, I see players heading straight to their cars after sessions."
The former England captain emphasised that this isn't just about natural talent. "United have quality players, no question. But talent alone doesn't win trophies. It's the extra work, the sacrifice, the obsession with improvement that separates good teams from great ones."
A Warning for Ten Hag's Revolution
Rooney's comments come at a crucial time for manager Erik ten Hag, who is attempting to rebuild the club after several turbulent seasons. The Dutch manager has spoken repeatedly about implementing higher standards, but Rooney's observations suggest there's still significant work to be done.
"Erik is trying to change the culture, I can see that," Rooney acknowledged. "But changing deep-rooted habits and attitudes takes time. Some of these players have become comfortable with mediocrity, and that's unacceptable for a club of United's stature."
The Leadership Void at Carrington
Particularly concerning for Rooney is the apparent lack of strong voices in the dressing room. "In my time, if someone wasn't pulling their weight in training, they'd hear about it immediately - from senior players, not just the manager. That peer-to-peer accountability drove standards."
He suggested that the modern game's financial rewards might be contributing to the problem. "When players are on life-changing money from such a young age, the hunger can sometimes diminish. They need to remember they're playing for Manchester United, not just a paycheck."
Rooney's frank assessment serves as both a warning and a challenge to the current squad as United look to close the gap on their rivals and return to the pinnacle of English football.
