Rooney Excludes Fernandes from Manchester United's All-Time Greats
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has sparked debate by snubbing current club captain Bruno Fernandes from his selection for the Red Devils' all-time greatest XI. The discussion unfolded on the popular football show Stick to Football, where Rooney was joined by fellow United icons Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
Fernandes Fails to Make the Cut Despite Strong Form
Bruno Fernandes has been in impressive form under interim manager Michael Carrick, who has enjoyed a successful start to his second spell in temporary charge at Old Trafford. Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January after the Portuguese coach was dismissed following a poor run of results, during which Fernandes was often criticized for being played out of position.
Despite Fernandes' resurgence under Carrick's management, Rooney remained firm in his assessment. "I think Bruno is a top player but to get into Manchester United's all-time XI, I don't think so," Rooney stated. "Well, you think you've got [Eric] Cantona, you've got all the midfielders and all the attacking players. I just don't think, just on stats alone."
Gary Neville supported Rooney's viewpoint, highlighting the legendary competition for places. "You are talking about getting in front of people like Bobby Charlton in that attacking midfield position. [George] Best, Charlton, [Paul] Scholes..." Neville remarked.
Roy Keane added a crucial dimension to the debate, emphasizing the importance of silverware. "What if Bruno leaves in the next couple of years and he's not got even a couple of league titles under his belt? Part of your greatness has to be getting your hands on trophies, it has to be," Keane asserted.
Uruguayan Midfielder Urged to Seek Summer Exit
In separate Manchester United news, midfielder Manuel Ugarte has been advised to leave the club this summer by his fellow countryman and former Premier League star Gus Poyet. Ugarte joined United from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 for a deal that could eventually reach £50 million with add-ons, signing a five-year contract that runs until 2029.
Poyet's Frank Assessment of Ugarte's Struggles
Despite initial expectations that Ugarte would become a key midfield component for United, the 24-year-old Uruguayan international has failed to impress during his time in England. Poyet, who previously wanted Ugarte at Chelsea before his move to PSG, offered a blunt assessment of the player's situation.
"Yeah, and it has affected me a lot because he's from Uruguay and before he went to Paris Saint-Germain, I wanted him to come to Chelsea," Poyet told GOAL. "I don't know him, so I couldn't call him! And he went to Paris Saint-Germain and I was a little bit upset because I thought it was perfect at that time for Chelsea. But after that, he kind of didn't kick on. Paris Saint-Germain and now Man United."
Poyet believes Ugarte possesses the qualities to succeed but needs to find the right environment. "He needs to find the right club. I think he's a top player. I think he's a top central midfielder. I think he can cover the pitch well. He can cover spaces. He can defend well. But he needs to find the team. He needs to find, I would say, the identity of a club to be able to play every week because he has even lost his main position at the national team."
The advice comes at a critical juncture for Ugarte, whose disappointing performances have raised questions about his long-term future at Old Trafford as Manchester United continue to evaluate their squad under Carrick's interim leadership.
