Few voices carry more weight at Old Trafford than Wayne Rooney’s. The club’s all-time top scorer, a man who lifted league titles and Champions League trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson, has delivered a brutal reality check on Manchester United. Speaking on his **BBC podcast, *The Wayne Rooney Show*, on September 29, 2025**, Rooney admitted he “doesn’t even recognize the football club anymore,” sending shockwaves through Manchester and beyond.
## Rooney’s Brutal Assessment of United
Rooney, who scored **253 goals in 559 games for United**, didn’t sugarcoat his frustrations:
> *“This is not Manchester United. I cannot recognize the whole football club. I don’t see players fighting. I don’t see character. I don’t see desire to win. I don’t see ability. I don’t see match winners. Nothing gets me off my feet.”*
His comments came just 24 hours after United’s **3-1 home defeat to Tottenham**, a result that left the Red Devils languishing in 10th place in the Premier League. The performance—where United took the lead through Bruno Fernandes before collapsing after a series of defensive errors—was, for Rooney, the perfect example of what has gone wrong at Old Trafford.
## Timing That Stings Even More
The sting of Rooney’s words is sharpened by timing. Just days earlier, he had caused uproar with Liverpool fans after questioning the £116m signing of Florian Wirtz, claiming the German playmaker “damages” the balance of Arne Slot’s squad.
Now, his scathing verdict on United has redirected the spotlight, raising questions about whether Rooney is disillusioned not just with his former club, but with the state of modern football and its obsession with expensive signings.
Interestingly, while Rooney’s comments on Wirtz drew fury at Anfield, the midfielder has since been dropped from Liverpool’s 21-man Champions League squad to face Galatasaray—reportedly furious with the criticism.
## United’s Struggles Laid Bare
For Manchester United, the situation is grim. Despite heavy summer spending on names like **Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee**, Ruben Amorim’s side has only three wins from eight league games. Performances have lacked cohesion, hunger, and consistency.
Rooney contrasted the current squad with the fighters of Ferguson’s era, players who refused to let heads drop no matter the circumstances. “Where’s the fight?” he asked. For many fans, that single question hits hardest.
## Fans React: Divided and Emotional
Social media erupted within hours of the podcast going live. The hashtag **#RooneyRant** quickly trended, with over **70,000 posts** on X.
Some fans sided with him:
*“He’s spot on. This isn’t United anymore. No leaders, no winners.”*
Others slammed him for being too harsh:
*“Rooney’s a legend, but calling out the club like this publicly is disloyal. He’s piling on when we’re already down.”*
The division reflects the current mood at Old Trafford: frustration mixed with despair, and a fanbase torn between demanding accountability and holding on to faith.
## Ten Hag Fires Back
Under pressure, manager Erik ten Hag—already battling speculation about his future—brushed off the comments when asked by reporters:
*“Wayne’s entitled to his opinion, but we’re building something here.”*
His brief response revealed little, but insiders suggest Ten Hag is frustrated that high-profile criticism only fuels further negativity around the club.
## Liverpool vs United: A Tale of Two Giants in Crisis
Rooney’s rant comes as Liverpool themselves are facing turbulence. Despite topping the Premier League, Arne Slot’s side have stumbled with a recent **2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace**, while Wirtz’s slow start has added pressure to justify his record fee.
The irony is striking: United are accused of having no match-winners, while Liverpool’s supposed star signing is accused of being ineffective. Rooney’s frustrations, in many ways, seem to cut across both clubs—hinting at his broader disillusionment with how modern football is being built.
## What’s Next for Manchester United?
For United, the road ahead looks daunting. They face **PAOK in the Europa League**, needing a strong performance to restore some faith, while Amorim fights to steady a sinking ship. Rooney’s comments may sting, but they echo what many supporters have been saying for months.
The bigger question is whether United will use his words as fuel for a revival—or whether his rant will be remembered as another painful reminder of how far the club has fallen.
