{
  "id": 16120922,
  "title": "Rooney labels Man Utd players ‘selfish’ after Fernandes criticism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/rooney-labels-man-utd-players-selfish-after-fernandes-criticism-16120922",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T21:38:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/23/rooney-labels-man-united-players-selfish-after-fernandes-criticism"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manchester United's all-time leading goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, has called the club's players \"selfish\" after captain Bruno Fernandes criticized the coaching staff's tactics following a 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como. Fernandes expressed frustration, stating that the team failed to apply enough pressure and exhibited a \"mood of defeat\" after conceding a goal in the second minute. This criticism follows growing dissatisfaction within the squad, including defender Lisandro Martinez's recent remarks about the club's hierarchy following a 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid. Rooney dismissed the players' concerns, asserting that they are \"like babies\" who deflect blame onto others rather than taking responsibility on the pitch and as a group. Manager Michael Carrick, a former United midfielder who took on an interim role following Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January, now faces increasing pressure as United remains winless in seven matches across all competitions, sitting 20th in the Champions League and 13th in the Premier League.",
  "summary": "Wayne Rooney said players must take collective responsibility after Bruno Fernandes questioned the coaching staff's tactics following a 4-1 defeat to Como.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Fernandes to stay captain as Rooney calls Man Utd players babies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/fernandes-to-stay-captain-as-rooney-calls-man-utd-players-babies",
        "published": "2026-10-22T21:42:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}