Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has launched a foul-mouthed rant at the current crop following their latest humiliating result

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney said he would love to storm into the dressing room and shove a firework "up their a***" in a passionate X-rated rant. The 41-year-old cast doubt on the spirit within the squad, claiming the players appear to be going through the motions out on the pitch.

United are in turmoil once again as they attempt to recover from Sunday's humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. To the surprise of most, head coach Michael Carrick will take charge of Saturday's clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, despite managing just two wins from 11 matches.

While Carrick received a sympathetic reception from supporters following the latest setback, the players were met with boos, with the club's top brass also coming in for fierce criticism in the aftermath of the Cherries' victory. Rooney's explosive and passionate outburst came as his exasperation reached boiling point, shining a light on a worrying lack of fight within the ranks.

He said on the Stick to United podcast: "The players haven't got a leg to stand on. What's not fair is the performances they're giving. I looked at the fans, you could see the pain and anger in their faces when them players are walking around the football pitch. You see [Lisandro] Martinez when Rayan ran round him, they're not getting to the ball, it's so frustrating.

"I could score a goal, had ability or whatever, at least I f****** ran and put myself about as a team. These players are not doing that. I'd love to go in that dressing room, walk in that dressing room and say, 'What the f*** are yous all doing? What type of performances do you think this is? Do you think you deserve to wear the shirt?'

"Put a f****** firework up their a**** because they're not doing anything. We're seeing players who are numb, look like they've got no emotion, look like they don't care, some of them might care, some good lads who are getting dragged down. It's so frustrating to watch."

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Previously, United's record goalscorer placed the responsibility squarely on the players for failing to deliver on their potential. Rooney accused the squad of giving false hope to supporters and owners after improving their form during Carrick's temporary stint last season, which saw them finish third and secure Champions League qualification.

While acknowledging his former team-mate has found life difficult in the hot seat, Rooney said: "We're not that Manchester United, look a million miles from the previous winning teams, the fundamentals of the game still have to be there.

"It's at best a mid-table team but if you look at all the mid-table teams, what do they get? They get players working hard, running, tackling and I keep saying it, going back to the basics. These players think they're better than what they are.

"Unfortunately, what happened when Michael Carrick came in at the start is that it's gave them players and the board false hope that they are get enough. He's done well, stuck together, managed somehow to finish third, then the board are thinking, 'We're a top four team,' when in reality they're miles away from it.

"You're deluded if they think the front three are good enough. They wanted Premier League players, they've brought lads from Wolves, Brentford, who have done well but for signings to take this Manchester United team to the next level, you're living in cuckoo land if you think they're going to achieve that.

"The squad is absolutely a million miles away. The worst thing for Michael Carrick, he's gave the board a bit of hope when in reality, they needed a big overhaul and have done for years. The midfield, spending that amount on them midfielders, is absolutely crazy. I feel for Michael, he's being let down, he hasn't been good enough but the players have let him down massively."

He went on to say: "There's a chip on the shoulders, I hate coming out [criticising] because I love the club but when I'm looking at them players, the amount of managers that have been sacked by these players.

"Michael Carrick has won five Premier League titles, Champions League, he knows how to win at this club, knows what the standards are to win, and you've got these players walking all over him."