KUALA LUMPUR: Wayne Rooney is convinced some of Manchester United's absent players are faking injuries to save themselves for the FA Cup final or Euro 2024.
On Sunday, the Red Devils lost 1-0 to Arsenal, their 19th loss of a sorry season, and their former captain Rooney believes some of their injured players are actually fit to feature but are saving themselves.
United have been without a long list of injured players for large chunks of the season.
Rooney accused them of letting the club down by opting out of games.
"There are some very good players in that squad and the performances are way below par. You look at the injuries and some of those players could play; 100 per cent," Rooney told Sky Sports.
"You have a European Championships coming up and an FA Cup final coming up. It is easy for players to stay out for a little bit and then come back towards the European Championships.
"I have seen it myself over the years. I just think the players who have been injured are not filling themselves with any credit at the minute."
Manager Erik ten Hag's injured list includes captain Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, his four main centre-backs – in Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof – and two senior left-backs, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, plus Mason Mount and Anthony Martial.
United will miss out on European football next season if they do not win the FA Cup final.
Under Ten Hag this season, United have lost 19 games in all competition, their most since 1978-79, while Sunday's loss to the Gunners was their ninth loss at Old Trafford this term, their joint-most at home in a season.
Responding to Rooney's claims, Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane said: "That's not a good sign. You hope players who are carrying injuries are desperate to get back to playing football.
"There are always a few players at every club who drag their heels with a few injuries. But other players, certainly ones I played with, they will try and knock a week or two off that.
"That's always a worry, but that goes on at lots of clubs, where they have a lack of confidence and they're out of it, and they don't rush back to be with the team."
