DINH DOONG

BREAKING NEWS: Wayne Rooney Lashes Out at Manchester United Board and INEOS for Backing Erik ten Hag

Live from Old Trafford, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has delivered a scathing criticism of the club’s leadership, taking aim at both the board and INEOS, the new minority stakeholders, for their continued support of under-fire manager Erik ten Hag. In a passionate and emotional outburst, Rooney expressed his deep frustration over the current state of the club, condemning the decision to retain Ten Hag despite Manchester United’s poor form and players’ visible regression under his management.

Speaking to reporters, Rooney didn’t hold back. “This is beyond frustrating!” the former United captain and all-time leading goal scorer exclaimed. “INEOS comes into Manchester United, and instead of fixing things, they’re letting Ten Hag stay? Are you kidding me? Almost the entire squad has gone backwards under him! Six or seven players completely out of form—how is that even possible? It’s never been heard of before! Week after week, we’re watching players regress. Something is clearly wrong with his management and style of play, and nobody’s doing anything about it.”

Rooney, who recently took over as manager of Birmingham City after a successful stint in Major League Soccer with D.C. United, has always been known for his fiery passion and blunt opinions. His comments are the latest in a growing wave of discontent among United supporters and former players, who are becoming increasingly vocal about the club’s trajectory under Ten Hag.

The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 with a wave of optimism after a successful spell at Ajax, where he rebuilt a young, dynamic team that played attractive football. His first season in charge saw glimpses of promise, with United securing a third-place finish in the Premier League and winning the Carabao Cup. However, the 2023-24 campaign has been nothing short of disastrous. A string of disappointing results, uninspired performances, and a growing list of unhappy players has left the club in turmoil.

Rooney’s frustration, shared by many fans, is focused on the rapid decline of several key players who were once pivotal to United’s success. “We’ve got players like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bruno Fernandes—these are top-quality players, and they’re nowhere near their best. How does that happen to so many players all at once? It’s clearly a problem with the management. There’s no confidence, no cohesion, no style of play. It’s a mess,” Rooney fumed.

The timing of Rooney’s comments coincides with INEOS finalizing their deal to take a 25% stake in Manchester United, giving them significant influence in the club’s future decisions. The British multinational, led by billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, had promised to inject fresh energy into the club and help restore its former glory. However, their backing of Ten Hag has already sparked outrage among sections of the fanbase who were hoping for immediate change, particularly as United continue to languish outside the Premier League’s top four.

Rooney’s outburst has amplified the growing tension between the fans and the board. Many supporters feel that the club’s leadership, including CEO Richard Arnold, has failed to address the deeper issues within the squad. There have been whispers of a lack of communication and trust between the players and the manager, with several stars reportedly unhappy with Ten Hag’s tactical approach and man-management style.

As Rooney’s comments circulate, many pundits and analysts are already debating the potential fallout. Some believe that his statements could increase pressure on INEOS to reconsider their stance on Ten Hag’s future, while others suggest Rooney may be positioning himself as a future managerial candidate at Old Trafford.

“United need to wake up before it’s too late,” Rooney concluded in his furious rant. “This club can’t afford another season like this. The fans deserve better, the players deserve better, and the club deserves better. Something has to change.”

With the weight of Rooney’s words reverberating through the corridors of Old Trafford, it remains to be seen whether the United hierarchy will take action or continue to stand by Ten Hag, despite mounting evidence that the club is heading in the wrong direction.