Retired English superstars are upset about Gareth Southgate’s England after underwhelming performances against Serbia and Denmark at the Euros. Rio Ferdinand sincerely hopes the Three Lions improve and round off the group stage. Paul Scholes called for Southgate to make changes to his roster. Incidentally, former Manchester United megastar Wayne Rooney has joined the fleet of England’s critics. Rooney thinks England’s timing, pressing, and strategy were so off-kilter that the Three Lions looked like an imperfect Manchester City team.

“The players should be told to hold positions longer, and then make movements late at a quicker pace. This is what I mean when I say England looks like Manchester City without timing. Manchester City’s timing comes from the coaching Pep Guardiola puts in,” said Wayne Rooney, as per City Talk via Times Sport.

Rooney’s allusion to City is unclear per se. But he perhaps meant England features as excellent a team as Manchester City on paper, but doesn’t live up to that reputation. Besides, Rooney not-so-subtly hinted that Southgate’s side lacks the touch of a coach like Guardiola by crediting him for City’s timing.

“Watching England at Euro2024, I see Manchester City. But not the City who have just reeled off four consecutive Premier League titles with their brilliant football. They’re like City, except without the timing. And without the pressing strategy. And the width,” Rooney added. Besides this forgetful allusion to Manchester City, Wayne Rooney observed that Gareth Southgate is going to commit a mistake in the ongoing Euros.

Rooney is not happy about Gareth Southgate’s potential changes in England

Wayne Rooney thinks Gareth Southgate will sideline Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka in England’s final group game against Slovenia on June 25th. Though this would make room for Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon, Rooney says he won’t leave Saka out of the mix. “I think Saka has been really good. He has been creative and provided some good balls into the box,” said Rooney in the Arsenal star’s defense.

While Rooney lamented this potential change, his former teammate Paul Scholes lamented Gareth Southgate’s lineups in the first two games. Meanwhile, Scholes wants Trent Alexander-Arnold to return as a full-back and make room for Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo and Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer in the midfield.

To sum up, Southgate’s squad has failed to make a good first impression of veteran players who once wore the English crest. Be it calls for roster changes or critiques of England’s timing, these legends badly want to see a team of firebrand youngsters and experienced superstars live up to their reputation.