Wayne Rooney has made it clear that he does not want to hear excuses from Manchester United when they travel to Fulham on Sunday.
The former United captain believes the game at Craven Cottage is exactly the type of match where his old club must respond, particularly after back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Brighton.
United have shown some encouraging moments in recent matches, but those spells have not been enough to produce the results expected from a club of their size.
For Rooney, that now has to change.
United need a reaction
Manchester United head into Sunday’s fixture under pressure following defeats to Manchester City and Brighton.
There may have been periods in both games when United looked capable of getting something from them, but ultimately, they came away empty-handed.
That is why the Fulham match carries extra importance.
Fulham are still waiting for their first Premier League victory of the season, while United have also enjoyed a strong record at Craven Cottage in recent years.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last 10 league visits to Fulham, a record that will give them some confidence heading into the match.
However, Rooney’s argument is not simply about statistics.
He wants to see a reaction from the players.
United cannot afford to rely on possession, chances created or spells of good football if they continue to struggle to turn those performances into points.
At this stage, the priority is straightforward: get the result.
Pressure growing on Carrick
Another defeat would inevitably increase the pressure surrounding Michael Carrick and his Manchester United players.
Carrick will need his squad to show that they are still responding to his ideas and fighting for results, particularly during a difficult run of form.
The players also have a responsibility.
United have already shown that they can compete in games, but consistency remains a major issue. Against Fulham, they will need to turn that potential into a complete performance over 90 minutes.
Rooney’s message is therefore simple.
There is no need to search for explanations if United fail to get the job done. They need to take responsibility, perform and leave Craven Cottage with three points.
For a club like Manchester United, that is the expectation.
Sunday’s match could therefore become an important test of character for Carrick’s side. A strong response would provide some much-needed momentum, while another disappointing result would only lead to more questions.
For Rooney, there is no complicated solution.
United simply need to win the football match.
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