SIR JIM RATCLIFFE and Ineos have been told to “get rid of” almost their entire Manchester United squad or face a 15-year wait to win the Champions League.
Wayne Rooney gave the brutal verdict when appearing on Sky Sports last night.
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Red Devils icon Rooney watched from the studio as Erik ten Hag’s side ended the season at Old Trafford with a 3-2 victory over Newcastle.
A first-half goal from Kobbie Mainoo was followed in the second half by a thunderbolt from Amad Diallo and a precise strike from Rasmus Hojlund.
Regardless, a run of just one win in eight league games prior to the Magpies game left the club’s hopes of reaching Europe via the championship out of their hands.
Defeat to Brighton on Sunday will also confirm this as the club’s worst points tally in the Premier League era, with the current record being the 58 scored in 2021/22.
Rooney believes there are only a few players in the current squad who should be kept throughout the season. next few seasons, including captain Bruno Fernandes.
He told Sky Sports: “You have to build the team around Bruno. He has quality and fights, and then I think all the other players will get rid of them.”
Stunned Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones questioned Rooney about this, to which he added: “I think you keep players young and you keep Bruno.
“I think there has to be a massive cleanup. It has to be. It won’t happen in one year, but I think it will happen in the next two years.”
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Man Utd have already hired some staff from the country’s most successful team of the last decade, reigning champions Manchester City, including Omar Berrarda and former City player Jason Wilcox.
Rooney also warned that it could take Man Utd 15 years to add a fourth Champions League to your office.
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 could be looking at, I hope not.”
Asked about specific players, Rooney said Andre Onana had improved after a shaky start, Diogo Dalot was good and Harry Maguire was in and out, but declared Man Utd needed 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 difficult season compared to his usual high standards.
He said: “We all know Marcus has the ability to play at the highest level and we haven’t seen that yet.
“I just wonder if it’s time for Marcus to go 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 keep his head down.”
SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd’s failures
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead of them to get the Man Utd squad in order for next season. Below, SunSport gives their verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils’ failures this summer.
André Onana – STAY: After a dubious start at Old Trafford, Onana has proven to be one of the most reliable members of the squad this season despite being constantly bombarded with shots.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested that Bayindir was unhappy with his small role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If it is possible to make a profit from a sale, then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable backup and earns a relatively small salary at the club. As long as he’s happy, it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never been able to take on the right-back position. With his contract ending in 2025, it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent players this season.
Rafael Varane – GO: If it weren’t for his injury history, there would be a strong case to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the team to renew itself.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has shown he has the right character to be at Man Utd, but overall ability and desired profile is another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high back line.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is unparalleled in terms of playmaking. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to eliminate the injuries that have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans-GO: Veteran activist Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was just a small participant. But he has shown his advanced age a few times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable, if not unremarkable, in his Man Utd career. He has a year left on his contract so should move on if a decent transfer fee can be obtained for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before breaking into the starting lineup as a starter or being transferred.
Luke Shaw-GO: One of the best left-backs in the Premier League when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But unfortunately, that was his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to the cancellation of his second season.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world champion at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he has had a dismal season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not become permanent.
Casemiro-GO: An alarming physical decline saw him go from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two years left on his contract – United would be expected to pull out.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved to be a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar characteristics, but frankly his legs seemed to have disappeared towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare ray of hope in the Red Devils’ midfield this season.
Mason Assembly – STAY: Mount could be given the benefit of the doubt until the summer of 2025, at least after an injury-plagued debut season.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, which is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains unrivaled when it comes to creating chances, while his tenacity galvanizes those around him.
Antonio – GO: There is reason to argue that Antony could be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments, he simply doesn’t have the quality of Man Utd.
Antônio Marcial – GO: Ultimately, Martial needs to be released when his contract ends this summer after a terrible injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it is to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it’s difficult to look at the market and find many players available capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the trio of untouchables, Garnacho has won over the right since joining. He is a raw talent, but he has shown that he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: Slow in his first season at Man Utd, the 21-year-old was often left short of resources, which led to him being unable to score the goals that his movement and selfless play often deserves.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given the chance to flourish with some proper first-team chances throughout the season.
Roy Keane was less optimistic about the team’s rebuild.
He said: “We talk about transferring players but it is difficult to move forward without players.
“Some of the players here are in great money and some of them won’t go anywhere unless they get paid.
“Many players had an opportunity. There’s a lot of concern that these players are constantly injured, but if you’re injured all the time, it’s not good for anyone.
“Okay, every club has its injuries. But if they’re always injured, you can’t count on those players to show up week after week for Man United.”
Fellow triple winner Andy Cole added: “For me personally, the gap will not close in the next few years.
“If you look at the difference between Manchester United and Man City, that says it all.
“There is no way to close this gap within two years. Man City will try to start again next season.
“This will take time, it is a construction process, which could take four or five years.”
Man Utd will finish the season in the FA Cup with a repeat of last season’s final against City.
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