Wayne Rooney says Manchester United's players 'need to do better' and that he was sure under-fire boss Erik ten Hag is 'a fantastic manager'.
Rooney, who scored a club record 253 goals in 559 appearances for United before departing in 2017, admitted it was tough to see them languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Ten Hag has again come under huge pressure after just two wins from seven Premier League games this season and Rooney is hoping the Dutchman can quickly turn the club's fortunes around.
When asked if Ten Hag was the right man for the job, Rooney told Sky Sports: 'Well that's obviously down to the owners of the football club to look at that. I'm sure Erik Ten Hag is a fantastic manager.
'He's won trophies wherever he's been and won trophies at Manchester United as well.
'So yes, he's going through a difficult period and I think he'd probably say that himself.
'But you hope he can turn it around because too often managers lose their jobs and then it's another rebuild with a different manager.'
United have won just three of their 10 games in all competitions since finishing eighth in the top flight last season and Rooney questioned the players' performances.
'I think it's difficult and anyone would admit that Manchester United want to be challenging for titles, so to be 14th, I'm sure everyone at the club knows they need to improve on that,' said the Plymouth manager.
'I know Erik Ten Hag is doing everything he can to try and improve that. Players again, and I said this last season, need to do better than what they're doing.
'There's a big turnaround of players over the last few years. You just want to see them challenging again.'
When asked if he had any advice to offer Ten Hag or his players, Rooney added: 'It's not for me to give Erik Ten Hag advice. He's Manchester United manager and a very experienced manager as well.
'When you're going through a tough period the important thing is you knuckle down, you work hard, you try and do the basics right.
'I think they showed good spirit to pick up a point against Villa, but the fans probably want to see a bit more and hopefully they can start doing that.'
Keepitreal007
2
Unlike people who do not understand what it takes to be a Manchester manager, Rooney's remarks show the perspective of an actual manager. Not as simple a job as people may think.
BrintonC
0
These players are uninspired and have no direction. It's up to the manager to drive the team to do better...and ETH just can't seem to get that right.
codclnoz
0
Even you Rooney you talking about trophies 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Because hes time playing won more cup them ur team…even ur team now.. 1epl 1cl after how many years mate.. still he have more then ur club thou hes not playing anymore 🤣🤣🤣🤣
codclnoz
0
Manchester United need a new coach now before you too late zizi is free
Besides madrid did zz won anything with any other clubs… answer is no… so what so special about zz.. any coach can win anything in madrid… so coaching madrid and winning cups or watever doesnt make the coach good.. the players its self there know how to win even without a coach… so i dont get all this people calling for zz..
KawoPiouz
1
I'm ETH out but players need to be questioned as well. Their attitude on the pitch , the mentality is terrible. All managers will be getting the sack
new skill is needed. Chelsea were once like that but things are going better. imagine his first season already fighting for the title, unlike ETH's 3rd season yet still downgrading. it's his tactics that is killing him.
Reeclnorsz
1
Ten hug isn't the problem at Manchester United. The players are good enough to win matches but they don't give all.
Ridbinopsy
0
Rooney i know you were a star at the team but it seems like all the passion you had for the team has now been washed away coz i think you don't want to see Manchester United progress... if you had a passion, you might think about how many more players he has brought to the team and how is the standard of playing are they improving or it is going worse than before? those are the questions you should be asking yourself. And my encouragement to you is that sit down on your drawing board and think about your team, how many players have i brought to the club and how is the performance, when you will do that you will become a great coach in history of the world.. Thank you🙏
You don't follow Manchester united news or even know the rules of the new board. ETH got nothing to do with buying players but the board is doing the recruiting got and responsible for buying and selling of players. ETH wanted a left-back and there's no left-back, he wanted Sancho and Greenwood but they're gone, he refused that Mc Tominay shouldn't be sold but the board sold him, He didn't asked for De ligt but the board brought him in to replace Maguire and Maguire is even better than him. Put yourself in his position and ask yourself if the job is easy when you don't have the players of your choice in the team.
Zezesol400
0
thats why he is a very bad coach too
Mind u Rooney has improved,ply mouth r playing good football en winning this days
Pocdknrtyz
1
I'm ETH out but players need to be questioned as well. Their attitude on the pitch , the mentality is terrible. All managers will be getting the sack
Exactly! If we keep recycling managers, it will be the same story after two years because the players are lazy sometimes
Hasynx_
4
Rooney had to back ETH because he's now a manager also, putting himself in ETH shoes. i know where this is coming from.
Buwbemopyz
1
stars are Ono the sky. if sky is covered by clouds, stars will never be seen
Yibkprty
0
Manchester United need a new coach now before you too late zizi is free
Zewadeklpz
1
I'm ETH out but players need to be questioned as well. Their attitude on the pitch , the mentality is terrible. All managers will be getting the sack
peebklmpst
3
thats why he is a very bad coach too
soeabdtyz
3
Rooney i know you were a star at the team but it seems like all the passion you had for the team has now been washed away coz i think you don't want to see Manchester United progress... if you had a passion, you might think about how many more players he has brought to the team and how is the standard of playing are they improving or it is going worse than before? those are the questions you should be asking yourself. And my encouragement to you is that sit down on your drawing board and think about your team, how many players have i brought to the club and how is the performance, when you will do that you will become a great coach in history of the world.. Thank you🙏
Maubckorsu
1
Mu players individually need to be interviewed by the management to asses the likes and dislikes and relations with Ten Hag before condemning the coach .
rafaeljoel
4
Just imagine ten hag as a manager and Rooney his assistance in two years utd will be where Rooney is now
Naycdknr
1
Please keep Ten Hag for next 10 seasons. We need a team to laugh at every season.
Battyswargz5
1
Rooney of all people useless coach backing a stupid coach it’s called uselessness
Yohbcknpsy
1
Rooney is scrap
Zubblion
0
Questions will should be asking is why are these players playing the way they do you will see that half of the team don’t want play for the manger
dapacdilty
0
rooney speaking from experience no more criticism because he knew how field works couching is not easy bruh but to be honest the guy is not good for a big team like Manchester united he must leave
Fat cover the guy brain up don’t you’ll see rooney looking terrible like man united results under ten hag
bamadiloty
0
Even you Rooney you talking about trophies 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
nuoaeorsu
2
rooney speaking from experience no more criticism because he knew how field works couching is not easy bruh but to be honest the guy is not good for a big team like Manchester united he must leave
DrHalaMsdrid
1
What’s really happen to our Rooney ? Someone need to please check on him …. Coleen is feeding our guy something bad …. I mean how can he no see things the rest of the world is seeing !
msiwela07
6
Rooney speaks some sense coz he knows very well that talking is very easier.
msiwela07
0
Winning English cups but failing massively in 2 most prestigious competition: EPL and Champions league is mid table success
as if Liverpool are winning the league and champions league every season. we all know you're Carabao cup defending champions
Memaceiklu
2
Winning English cups but failing massively in 2 most prestigious competition: EPL and Champions league is mid table success
Jeaacmoty
1
we are tired of hopes