Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has launched a scathing criticism of Luke Shaw following the Red Devils’ disappointing 2-0 loss to Hull City in their Premier League season opener at the MKM Stadium.
“Schoolboy Defending!” – Rooney Tears Into Luke Shaw After United’s Humiliating Hull Defeat
First-half goals from Semi Ajayni and Nobel Mendy condemned Michael Carrick’s side to a humbling defeat, with United struggling both defensively and in attack throughout the contest.
Rooney, analysing the match on BBC’s Match of the Day, singled out Shaw for particular criticism regarding Hull’s second goal.
The former United captain accused the England left-back of committing a fundamental defensive error that proved costly.
“This is schoolboy defending from Luke Shaw,” Rooney declared.
“Man United had a good line, Hull would have been waiting for this all day.
Luke Shaw drops in, he’s five yards behind his back line and if the ball is good enough, which it was, it’s impossible to stop.”
The criticism didn’t stop at Shaw’s individual mistake, with Rooney expressing broader concerns about United’s overall approach to the game.
He believes Carrick’s men displayed a concerning lack of intensity and aggression.
“They sat in a mid block, didn’t get any pressure on the ball. I think they won two balls in Hull’s final third,” Rooney observed.
“There needs to be more energy in the press, how they go and win the ball back. Today was all too passive.”
Rooney noted that Hull exploited a tactical system that United had struggled against previously, having witnessed similar difficulties in their recent friendly against AC Milan.
The former England captain believes United must evolve from being a team that simply competes to one that instils fear in opponents.
“For Manchester United now to build on what they did last season, they have to become a team who teams are scared of playing against,” Rooney added.
The defeat leaves Carrick with significant questions to answer as United look to bounce back from a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign.
