SIR JIM RATCLIFFE and Ineos have been told they must get rid of almost the entire Manchester United squad or face a 15-year wait to win the Champions League.
Wayne Rooney pronounced the brutal sentence as he appeared Sky Sports last night.
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Red Devils icon Rooney watched from the studio Erik ten HagThe Manchester United team ended the season at Old Trafford with a 3-2 victory over Newcastle.
A goal in the first half of Kobbie Mainoo was followed by one in the second half Amad Diallo lightning bolt and an accurate Rasmus Hojlund strike.
Either way, a run of just one win in eight league games before the match against the Magpies has ended the club's hopes of entering Europe via the league.
The loss to Brighton on Sunday will also confirm this, as the club has recorded its worst ever points tally in the Premier League era, with the current record being 58 points scored in the 2021/2022 season.
Rooney believes there are only a handful of players in the current squad who will stay on for the foreseeable future next one several seasons, including captaincy Bruno Fernandes.
He told Sky Sports: “You have to build the team Bruno. He is of good quality and has fighting spirit in him, and then I think all the other players will get rid of him.”
Stunned Air sports presenter Dave Jones then questioned Rooney about it, adding: “I think you keep the young players, and you keep Bruno.
“I think it has to be a huge cleanup. It has to be. It won't be within a year, but I think it will happen in the next few years.”
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Man Utd have already acquired some personnel from the country's most successful team from the reigning champions of the past decade Manchester cityincluding Omar Berrarda and former City man Jason Wilcox.
Rooney also warned it could take Man Utd 15 years to add a fourth Champions League to their cabinet.
He explained: “You look at Man City when their new owners came in. It took them 15 years to win the Champions League. That's possibly what you're looking at, you hope not.”
When asked about specific players, Rooney said Andreas Onan had improved after a shaky start, Diogo Dalot had been good and Harry Maguire had been in and out but stated that Man Utd needed better players.
He said: “To compete in this league they need better players. Don't get me wrong, these players are good players. But to compete with Man City, Liverpool and Arsenalthey need better players.”
Rooney was also asked Marcus Rasfordwho has endured a tough season compared to his usual high standards.
He said: “We all know Marcus has the ability to play at the highest level, but we haven't seen it yet.
“I just wonder if it's time for Marcus to play somewhere else. I think he has to ask himself that question.”
“I want him to stay and break records at this club. He has to work hard and keep his head down.”
SunSport's verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead of them as they get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below, SunSport gives its verdict on how to deal with the Red Devils' flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After an unreliable start at Old Trafford, Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season, despite constantly being peppered with shots.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his role at Man Utd, amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If a profit can be made on a sale, it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on relatively low wages at the club. As long as he's happy, it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract expiring until 2025, it makes sense to make money now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd's most consistent players this season.
Rafael Varane – GO: Without his injury record, there would be a loud clamor to keep Varane, but costs must be cut to freshen up the squad.
Harry Maguire-GA: Maguire has shown he has the right character for Man Utd, but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high defensive line.
Lisandro Martínez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is unparalleled in his build-up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to overcome the injuries that have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans-GA: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the residency list if he were to play even a bit of a role. But he has shown his advancing years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof-GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable, if not unremarkable, in his Man Utd career. He has another year left on his contract, so if a decent transfer fee can be paid for him, he should be moved on.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the chance to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or moving up.
Luke Shaw GA: Shaw is one of the Premier League's best left-backs when fit and has been a good servant when available. But unfortunately that has been his Achilles heel again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – COTTAGE: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before an injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being written off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the World Cup in Qatar with Morocco. But he has had a disappointing season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has turned him from key figure to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old, who has two years left on his contract, United will have to pull the trigger.
Christian Eriksen-GO: Eriksen proved to be a useful signing and Ineos should look to sign another player with similar attributes, but in all honesty his legs seemed to have disappeared towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo-STAY: Mainoo, the first of the so-called untouchables, has been a rare ray of hope in the Red Devils' midfield this season.
Mason Mount – COTTAGE: Mount could be given the benefit of the doubt until the summer of 2025, at least after an injury-riddled debut season.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven to be a brilliant plan B this season, which is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd's best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains unrivaled when it comes to creating chances, while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Anthony – GO: There's a reason to argue that Anthony could well be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments, he's just not Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately, Martial will have to be let go when his contract expires this summer after a terrible injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say that Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho, has made the right wing his own since he joined. He is a raw talent, but has shown that he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: The 21-year-old was a slow burner in his first Man Utd season and was often left out of contention, which led to him being unable to score the goals his movement and unselfish play often deserves.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some good first-team opportunities over a full season.
Roy Keane was less optimistic about rebuilding the team.
He said: “We talk about moving players but it is difficult to continue without players.
“Some of the players here are huge money and some of them will not go anywhere they will not yield unless they are paid off.
“A lot of players have been given a chance. There is a lot of concern about these players getting injured all the time, but if you're injured all the time you're no good for anyone.
“Okay, every club has their injuries. But if they are always injured, you can't rely on these players to turn up for Man United week in, week out.”
Co-three-time winner Andy Cole added: “For me personally, the gap will not be closed in the coming years.
“If you look at the gap now between Manchester United and Man City, that says it all.
“There is no way you can close that gap in two years. Man City will try to get going again next season.
“That's going to take time, that's a construction process that could take four or five years.”
Man Utd end their FA Cup season with a repeat of last season's final against City.
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