Rooney Urges Michael Carrick to Drop Luke Shaw and Andrey Santos
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has urged manager Michael Carrick to make changes to his starting lineup, specifically calling for Luke Shaw and Andrey Santos to be dropped following the club’s disappointing Premier League opener.
United suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Hull City on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season, raising immediate questions about Carrick’s tactical approach. Rooney believes the result exposed a major problem in United’s ability to create meaningful chances despite having plenty of possession.
Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney argued that United’s players must take greater responsibility, particularly against opponents such as Hull and Ipswich, where opportunities need to be converted.
“I think the players need to take responsibility on the pitch. When you play against Hull City or Ipswich in another game, you have to make the most of those moments, and this is the right time to make decisions,” Rooney said, as reported by Goal International.
The former England striker believes Carrick should consider changing both Shaw and Santos, arguing that neither player currently provides the balance United need.
For Shaw, Rooney believes the club should make greater use of Patrick Dorgu, who has gradually settled into the team. The former United striker feels the Denmark international offers more aggression and attacking intent from the position.
“I think Patrick Dorgu gives you more aggression,” Rooney explained, suggesting that the former Lecce defender could be better suited to Carrick’s current system.
Rooney also questioned Santos’ role in midfield and believes Kobbie Mainoo deserves consideration as an alternative. The England international could provide greater control and creativity as Carrick looks for a solution in the centre of the pitch.
United’s midfield situation could become even more important with the club reportedly close to signing Carlos Baleba. Rooney suggested Carrick may need an alternative plan if the move for the Brighton midfielder cannot be completed because of his current ligament issue.
“Carrick needs to find a formula if he cannot secure Carlos Baleba, who is currently dealing with a ligament problem,” Rooney added.
Despite the disappointing result, Carrick remained composed during his post-match media duties. The United manager admitted that the defeat was painful but appeared to hint that changes could be made as he searches for a more effective formula.
The loss to Hull has therefore placed Carrick under immediate pressure to respond. United dominated possession but struggled to turn that control into clear opportunities, and Rooney believes the manager must act quickly if he is to prevent the same issues from carrying into the club’s next fixtures.
For Carrick, the challenge will be finding the right balance between keeping faith with his existing players and making the difficult decisions Rooney has called for. The opening-day defeat may already have provided a clear indication that changes are required.
