In the aftermath of Manchester United’s disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United, strong reactions have continued to pour in from former players and pundits.
Among the most vocal critics was club legend Wayne Rooney, who did not hold back in his assessment of both the team selection and individual performances.
According to Rooney, the responsibility for the loss lies heavily on manager Michael Carrick, particularly due to his decision to start a player whose performances this season have consistently fallen below expectations.
Rooney reportedly questioned Carrick’s judgment, suggesting that the team has struggled in every match where that particular player has been included in the starting lineup.
His comments have sparked intense debate among fans, with many echoing his frustration following another underwhelming display at Old Trafford.
The match itself saw United fall behind early, with Leeds capitalizing on defensive weaknesses to secure a two-goal advantage.
Despite a late effort from Casemiro, who scored a powerful header to give United hope, the damage had already been done.
The performance raised serious concerns about the team’s structure, discipline, and overall quality on the day.
Looking at individual performances, goalkeeper Senne Lammens had a mixed outing. While he produced an early save to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he struggled to cope with Leeds’ attacking pressure and was beaten for both goals. His distribution also came under scrutiny after a risky pass nearly led to another concession.
Defensively, it was a nightmare for several players. Leny Yoro endured a particularly difficult game, appearing overwhelmed and repeatedly losing possession under pressure.
Alongside him, Noussair Mazraoui failed to assert himself, offering little going forward and looking vulnerable defensively.
Lisandro Martínez had a moment of brilliance with a crucial last-ditch tackle but ultimately let the team down after being sent off for a reckless challenge, leaving United to play with ten men for a significant portion of the match.
In midfield, the spotlight fell heavily on Manuel Ugarte, who struggled throughout the game. His inability to retain possession and failure to disrupt Leeds’ attacking flow made him a central figure in the criticism.
Rooney’s comments are widely believed to be directed at him, especially given his poor track record in matches he has started this season.
Despite maintaining a decent passing accuracy, his overall contribution lacked impact and defensive solidity.
Captain Bruno Fernandes had a relatively average performance but still managed to provide an assist for Casemiro’s goal.
Meanwhile, attacking players like Amad and Matheus Cunha showed brief flashes of promise but failed to maintain consistency or truly influence the outcome. Benjamin Šeško came close to equalizing but was denied by a strong save from Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Substitutes such as Bryan Mbeumo and Diogo Dalot attempted to inject energy into the game but were ultimately unable to change the result.
Overall, Rooney’s criticism reflects a growing frustration with both tactical decisions and individual performances within the squad.
The defeat has intensified pressure on Carrick, with questions being raised about his team selection, in-game management, and ability to get the best out of his players.
As the season progresses, the focus will be on whether adjustments are made or if similar issues continue to haunt Manchester United’s campaign.
