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Wayne Rooney has called on Michael Carrick to make two changes to Manchester United’s starting XI ahead of their next Premier League match against Ipswich. After a surprise defeat to Hull City on the opening day, the former United striker feels significant alterations are needed for the team to respond, and said the players must begin taking responsibility for their own decisions on the pitch.

Rooney calls for changes from Carrick

Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney said Carrick should be prepared to take tough decisions after Manchester United went down 2-0 to Hull City. United had 71 per cent possession in the game, but were unable to turn that control into clear-cut opportunities.

Rooney feels the problem is not only about tactics, 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 often what decide the outcome.

Shaw and Santos under scrutiny

Rooney pointed directly to Luke Shaw and Andrey Santos as the two players he would leave out when Manchester United take on Ipswich at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Recommending that Patrick Dorgu 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." Asked whether he would also alter the midfield combination, Rooney replied: "Mainoo probably, yeah. I’d bring Mainoo in for Santos."

Carrick hurting after first defeat

Carrick must now work out a winning combination without summer recruit Carlos Baleba, who joined for £70 million but is currently out with ankle ligament damage.

The United boss admitted he was badly disappointed by what he saw at Hull. Although he appeared calm while speaking publicly, 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 recover when Ipswich visit Old Trafford on Sunday. Carrick now has to decide whether to follow Rooney’s suggestion and make changes to some of his struggling players. A strong win is needed to reduce the growing pressure and put their Premier League season back on course before the fixture list becomes tougher.