Wayne Rooney Criticizes ‘Selfish Babies’ Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez Following Public Outbursts at Man Utd

October 22, 2026 sportnow MANCHESTER UNITED icon Wayne Rooney has labeled Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez as “selfish babies” in light of their recent criticisms directed at Michael Carrick and the club’s management.

The 40-year-old urged the players to “reflect on themselves” following a disappointing seven-match winless streak.

Martinez was the first to publicly voice his criticism of the club last week after a 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid.

He expressed concern over the board’s lack of ambition, asserting they had squandered the transfer window after a third-place finish in the Premier League last season.

After facing significant backlash for his comments – with Rooney himself expressing disapproval – the defender met with club officials and later issued an apology.

United’s captain, Fernandes, followed suit after the 4-1 loss to Como yesterday, but this time, Carrick was the focus of criticism.

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The 32-year-old criticized the head coach for his tactics, stating: “The staff decided against a man-to-man press and sometimes left space open while waiting for the ball.”

Rooney asserts that the players are being “selfish” for evading responsibility.

On the United Stand podcast, the club legend said: “That was just the beginning. We’re seeing this with Bruno, and more players will follow because they refuse to take responsibility.

“Whether Bruno was right or wrong in his comments is irrelevant; what matters is taking responsibility on the pitch. The players must step up as a group.

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“These players are self-serving. They show no regard for their teammates, the manager, the staff, or the fans; they care only about themselves. If they are not satisfied, they act like babies, throwing tantrums and shifting blame onto others instead of themselves.”

Rooney concluded: “If Martinez and the others looked in the mirror, they would see what’s reflected back is not acceptable.”

United’s all-time leading goalscorer also stated that Carrick must “come out swinging” to regain control of the situation.

He shared: “In my four managerial roles, particularly in Birmingham and Plymouth, I’ve faced similar circumstances.

“Looking back on those experiences, I would advise Carrick to come out fighting now.

“It’s time to stop being Mr. Nice Guy.

“There are measures you must take to protect the players, but you need to fight for yourself as well.

“Players can easily drag you down, and ultimately, you could be the one to lose your job over it.

“We’ve seen that players often don’t care. Then we see the cycle repeat itself when a new manager arrives. They simply don’t care.

“I’ve been saying for a long time now that many players need to depart the club, as there’s a toxic atmosphere.

“Some players have been around for too long; fresh faces, new ideas, and a renewed mindset are crucial, as we will likely witness similar incidents in the future.

“If Carrick does not come out fighting and asserts his authority, we’ll continue to see these issues arise, as we have in the past week.”

Currently, United occupies the 13th spot in the Premier League table, having gathered just seven points from seven matches.

The team’s next challenge is against Bournemouth at Old Trafford this Sunday.