Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has launched a foul-mouthed outburst at the current Red Devils squad, saying he would love to enter the dressing room and put a firework 'up their a***' in an expletive-laden tirade.
The 41-year-old questioned the spirit within the squad, suggesting they appear indifferent on the pitch. United are struggling once more as they attempt to recover from Sunday's 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.
Rooney's Explosive Criticism
Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney said: "The players haven't got a leg to stand on. What's not fair is the performances they're giving. I looked at the fans, you could see the pain and anger in their faces when them players are walking around the football pitch. You see Martinez when Rayan ran round him, they're not getting to the ball, it's so frustrating."
He added: "I could score a goal, had ability or whatever, at least I f****** ran and put myself about as a team. These players are not doing that.
"I'd love to go in that dressing room, walk in that dressing room and say, 'what the f*** are use all doing?' What type of performances do you think this is? Do you think you deserve to wear the shirt? Put a f****** firework up their a**** because they're not doing anything.
"We're seeing players who are numb, look like they've got no emotion, look like they don't care, some of them might care, some good lads who are getting dragged down. It's so frustrating to watch."
Pressure Mounts on Carrick
Head coach Michael Carrick faces mounting pressure and could be facing the sack following a spell of just two victories in 11 fixtures. While Carrick received applause from supporters following the latest setback, the players were met with boos, while the club's senior figures also faced condemnation in the aftermath of the Cherries' triumph.
Rooney, United's all-time leading goalscorer, directed criticism towards the players for failing to realise their capabilities. He accused the squad of offering misleading optimism to supporters and ownership following their turnaround under Carrick's interim spell last term, which delivered a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.
'A Million Miles Away'
While acknowledging his former team-mate has encountered difficulties in management, Rooney said: "We're not that Manchester United, look a million miles from the previous winning teams, the fundamentals of the game still have to be there.
"It's at best a mid-table team but if you look at all the mid-table teams, what do they get? They get players working hard, running, tackling and I keep saying it, going back to the basics. These players think they're better than what they are.
"Unfortunately, what happened when Michael Carrick came in at the start is that it's gave them players and the board false hope that they are get enough. He's done well, stuck together, managed somehow to finish third, then the board are thinking, 'we're a top four team' when in reality they're miles away from it.
"You're deluded if they think the front three are good enough. They wanted Premier League players, they've brought lads from Wolves, Brentford, who have done well but for signings to take this Manchester United team to the next level, you're living in cuckoo land if you think they're going to achieve that."
The squad is absolutely a million miles away. The worst thing for Michael Carrick, he's gave the board a bit of hope when in reality, they needed a big overhaul and have done for years. The midfield, spending that amount on them midfielders, is absolutely crazy. I feel for Michael, he's being let down, he hasn't been good enough but the players have let him down massively.
He added: "There's a chip on the shoulders, I hate coming out (criticising) because I love the club but when I'm looking at them players, the amount of managers that have been sacked by these players.
"Michael Carrick has won five Premier League titles, Champions League, he knows how to win at this club, knows what the standards are to win and you've got these players walking all over him."
