Rooney warns Man United squad is 'weak' and Carrick was let down in transfer window

Wayne Rooney has publicly backed Michael Carrick while criticising Manchester United’s recruitment, saying the club left their manager with a squad he described as “a bit weak” after a summer window that failed to address key positions.

United head into the international break having won just one of their opening five Premier League matches, with their last four domestic outings all ending without a victory. A deflected Matheus Cunha strike earned them a point at Craven Cottage on the final matchday before the break, after Lisandro Martinez’s own goal had handed Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham the lead.

Carrick, 45, was appointed permanently after an impressive interim spell that delivered Champions League qualification, but the slow start to the 2026/27 season has brought mounting scrutiny on his position at Old Trafford.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Rooney was measured in his support but pointed clearly to the transfer window as a source of the problem. “He knows what’s in for there and listen, you always want more as a manager — I’m sure he would have wanted more from the transfer window, but he’s left with what he’s left with,” Rooney said.

United did spend during the summer, with midfielder Andrey Santos arriving from Chelsea for £48 million, potentially rising to £50 million, and Youri Tielemans joining after his £35 million release clause was triggered. However, Rooney argued that attacking and defensive areas were left short.

“There are certain things which I felt the club had to do before the window shut, in bringing players in,” he said. “The squad is a bit weak. He’s got to find a way to get more and the best out of these players to get up the table after this international break.”

Despite his concerns, Rooney stopped short of writing off Carrick’s chances of turning the season around. “He’s shown that he can get results out of this group of players,” he added. “They have to get their head down and work and hopefully get some better results. I think the break has come at the right time.”

Carrick will use the international break to regroup and implement fresh ideas before United return to Premier League action.