Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to make major changes ahead of their Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town this Sunday. The club's all-time top scorer called for Luke Shaw and new signing Andrey Santos to be dropped following a 2-0 defeat to Hull City.
Rooney made the comments on the Stick to United podcast, as reported by Daily Mirror Football. He was critical of defensive errors in the loss to newly-promoted Hull last Saturday. Manchester United host Ipswich at Old Trafford looking to bounce back.
What changes did Wayne Rooney suggest?
Rooney's proposed lineup is aggressive. He wants Patrick Dorgu to start at left-back instead of Luke Shaw, whose defending for Hull's second goal he labeled 'schoolboy'. In midfield, he advised dropping the £50 million arrival Andrey Santos in favor of Kobbie Mainoo.
Further forward, Rooney suggested playing Matheus Cunha from the left wing and moving Marcus Rashford to a central striker role. The right-back position remains a choice between Noussair Mazraoui, who started the season's opener, and Diogo Dalot. Rooney said, "I'd change Luke Shaw and I'd play [Patrick] Dorgu at left-back, be a bit more aggressive."
Why is this game significant for Ipswich?
For Ipswich Town, a trip to Old Trafford represents a major test following their successful 2025 campaign. The Tractor Boys finished second in the Championship with 75 points from 41 games, earning promotion. Their final form was strong, recorded as LWWDW, and they scored 71 goals while conceding 42 across the season.
They ended the campaign 11 points behind champions Coventry. You can review the club's recent history and statistics on our stats page. This context makes their visit to Manchester a compelling clash between a historic giant and a newly-promoted side with momentum.
What did Rooney say about player responsibility?
The former captain emphasized that tactics can only go so far. He believes the players must take greater ownership during matches, especially against organized opponents like Hull and, he expects, Ipswich. Rooney argued that in-game decisions are often the difference.
"I think players need to take responsibility on the pitch because when you play against a Hull City or Ipswich, the next game, you can set up however you want to set up and a lot of the time it's decisions," Rooney stated. This points to a need for improved leadership and game management from United's squad.
What comes next for Ipswich Town?
Following the high-profile match at Old Trafford, Ipswich Town's focus will shift to consolidating their place in the top flight. Their pre-season preparations and the final 2025 table, which you can see on our standings page, show a team built on a solid defensive record and consistent scoring.
The challenge now is to translate that Championship form to the Premier League. The club's goal difference of +29 last season highlights their effectiveness at both ends of the pitch. Building on that foundation will be key for their survival and growth. Fans can track the squad tasked with this mission on our squad page.
Michael Carrick now must decide whether to heed the advice of a club legend or stick with his initial selections. For Ipswich, it's a chance to measure themselves against one of England's biggest clubs at the start of a new era.
