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Wayne Rooney has called on Michael Carrick to leave out Luke Shaw and Andrey Santos from Manchester United’s starting XI for their upcoming Premier League match against Ipswich. After a surprise opening-day loss to Hull City, the former United captain feels significant changes are needed for the team to respond, and said the players must begin taking personal responsibility on the pitch.

Rooney calls for changes from Carrick

Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney said Carrick needs to be ruthless after Manchester United went down 2-0 to Hull City. United had 71 per cent of the ball in that game, but found it difficult to turn that dominance into clear-cut opportunities.

Rooney feels the tactical system is only one part of the problem, saying: "I think players need to take responsibility on the pitch because when you play against a Hull City or Ipswich, the next game, you can set up however you want to set up and a lot of the time it’s decisions." He underlined that the choices made during the match are what ultimately shape the result.

Shaw and Santos under scrutiny

Rooney named Shaw and Santos as the two players he would take out when Manchester United welcome Ipswich on Sunday.

Backing Patrick Dorgu to be shifted into defence, Rooney said: "I’d change Luke Shaw and I’d play Dorgu at left-back, be a bit more aggressive. I don’t think we can rely on him [Shaw] to play all the games so when you’re playing against a newly promoted team at home, I’d play Dorgu at left-back." When asked about changing the midfield combination, Rooney added: "Mainoo probably, yeah. I’d bring Mainoo in for Santos."

Carrick hurting after first defeat

Carrick must try to find the right winning combination without summer signing Carlos Baleba, who joined for £70 million but is currently out with ankle ligament damage.

The United manager admitted he was badly disappointed by the display at Hull. Although he appeared composed while speaking to the media, Carrick said: "The result’s the result. We got beat, we’re hurt and it’s not a nice feeling. It doesn’t mean it’s going to change the whole direction of how we’re going as a team or as a football club."

What next for Manchester United?

Manchester United have an immediate chance to respond when they take on Ipswich at Old Trafford on Sunday. Carrick now has to decide whether to follow Rooney’s advice and rotate some of his struggling players. A convincing win is needed to reduce the growing pressure and put their Premier League season back on course before the fixture list becomes more demanding.