Wayne Rooney believes Michael Carrick has been ‘left short’ by Manchester United’s hierarchy after the summer transfer window.
United focused on bolstering Carrick’s midfield options in the summer window as the club spent around £150 million on the signings of Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.
A move for Lewis Hall was also considered but United opted not to submit an offer to Newcastle United, who had no interest in selling the 22-year-old left-back.
Rooney feels United needed to sign a left-back to provide support for Luke Shaw and also insists a new striker was required to ease the burden on Benjamin Sesko, who is yet to start a Premier League game this season.
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‘I just felt, and the Everton game showed me what I felt as well, they [United] were the better team, had a lot of control in the game, but a lack of a No.9, so for whatever reason Sesko is not fully fit, he missed pre-season,’ Rooney said on Stick to United.
‘Lacking a No.9, full-back position in terms of competition for places.
‘I thought Luke Shaw was really good [against Everton], possibly could have got closer for the first goal but I thought he played really well, and that connection with Rashford was good.
‘But I think with Dalot and Mazraoui coming on, for a team who want to compete and compete at the top end of the Premier League, great getting back in the Champions League but you want to get in the Champions League and try to compete as well. Are we going to win the Champions League? Probably not, you never know but probably not.
‘But you want a squad of players who are going to compete and I think Michael has been left short on that.
‘Luke is not going to play every game, Dalot and Mazraoui coming on at left-back, again, we’re seeing too many players player in unfamiliar positions to them. And I think that’s where the club should have went out and got players to help.
‘You would certainly be asking questions. I know Michael has come out and said he’s happy with the players they’ve got in. I don’t think any manager is happy, you always more more, more players and help for your team on the pitch.
‘The back line I don’t think is the strongest. Harry Maguire is probably the first-choice centre-back, then you’ve got Martinez who has got his injury problems, Heaven, who has got a lot of potential and I really like but it is potential and we’ve not seen enough of him. Full-back area is a big concern.’
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