Manchester, UK

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has taken a dig at players from his former side, calling the management to transfer them all except Bruno Fernandes. According to Rooney, Fernandes is the only quality player in the current Manchester United squad as the team struggles on all fronts. The Red Devils beat Newcastle United in a thrilling 3-2 win at Old Trafford on Wednesday, but are out of contention for European qualification next season, sitting eighth in the Premier League standings.

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Rooney heaps praise at Fernandes

"You have to build around Bruno. He's the one player with quality. He has got fight in him. I think you keep the young players and Bruno. I think it has to be a massive clearout, it has to be. It's not going to be in one year but it's got to be over the next couple of years," Rooney said on Sky Sports on Wednesday.

"To compete in this league, they need better players and don't get me wrong, these players are good players and Premier League players. But to compete with Manchester City, with Liverpool, with Arsenal they need better players."

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United will close their Premier League season on Sunday away at Brighton and are in danger of missing out on European football qualification for the first time since the 2014-15 season. They currently sit eighth in the standings with 57 points and need to better Newcastle’s result to finish in the Conference League spot. 

ALSO READ | Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag booed after final match at Old Trafford

However, United will have the added incentive of the FA Cup, where they can book their place in next season’s Europa League. For that to happen, Erik ten Hag’s side must beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 26 at the Wembley Stadium. 

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On United’s poor season, the club is all but certain to end the Premier League season with a negative goal difference (GD). United will have to win by at least three goals on Sunday against Brighton to avoid the miserable stat. If United do end with a negative GD, it will be their worst case of goal return since the 1989-90 season when they ended GD of -1.