BREAKING NEWS: “People keep hyping up Dorgu for that position, but I’m not buying it,” Rooney said bluntly. “If I were in Amorim’s shoes, I’d bench him without hesitation. There’s someone else who can truly impact this game—someone who can change it in an instant. Bilbao won’t see him coming. He’s got grit, intelligence, and the creativity Dorgu’s been missing lately. Let’s be real—Dorgu’s looked lost out there. The better option is obvious, and it’s not him.” Fans are all in with Rooney on this one. “Forget brute force—we need smart play today, and this guy is exactly what the match demands,” one post read, summing up the buzz online.

Wayne Rooney, the iconic former Manchester United striker, has stirred up a whirlwind of controversy just hours before the club’s pivotal European showdown with Athletic Bilbao. His sharp critique, delivered live on-air, zeroed in on the selection of young left-back Patrick Dorgu, whose inclusion in recent matches has been a point of discussion among pundits and fans alike.

 

Rooney didn’t hold back. With the same ferocity he once brought to the pitch, he openly challenged the wisdom of continuing with Dorgu in the starting eleven. In his view, Dorgu lacks the tactical discipline and match-readiness required for a high-stakes game. He argued that United needs someone with sharper instincts and better composure under pressure—someone capable of unsettling Bilbao’s structured approach.

 

He pointedly offered an alternative, strongly suggesting that a more seasoned player—likely Luke Shaw or a tactically adept winger—should start in Dorgu’s place. Rooney insisted this wasn’t just about preference, but about choosing a true game-changer who can match Bilbao’s technical prowess with creativity and maturity. His comments carried the weight of experience, and his tone made it clear: Dorgu isn’t ready for this challenge.

 

“Dorgu’s been out of his depth lately,” Rooney declared. “Let’s not sugarcoat it. This is Europe, not preseason. We need someone who can rise to the occasion, not fade under pressure.” His directness cut through the noise, prompting a surge of online reaction, with fans praising his honesty and siding with his verdict.

 

Supporters quickly took to social media, echoing Rooney’s doubts and expressing their preference for a more cerebral, composed player over raw speed and inexperience. One fan’s post summed up the mood: “It’s not about muscle—it’s about mind. We need vision and precision, not panic on the ball.”

 

Though Dorgu has impressed in flashes since his move from Lecce, there’s been growing unease about his lapses in decision-making. Against a disciplined and dangerous side like Athletic Bilbao, many fear that his weaknesses could be ruthlessly exposed. Rooney’s critique simply gave voice to what a chunk of the fanbase had already been whispering.

 

Now the spotlight shifts to United’s head coach, Rúben Amorim, whose starting lineup decision has taken on seismic significance. Will he gamble on youth, or play it safe with experience? Rooney’s statement has not only influenced public opinion—it’s turned up the heat on Amorim to get it right.

 

As match time draws near, the drama has shifted from the pitch to the press room. The fans, the critics, and even United’s own legends are watching with bated breath. The question now isn’t just who will play—it’s whether Amorim will listen.