Wayne Rooney backs ‘fantastic’ Erik ten Hag and takes aim at underperforming Manchester United players

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has backed under-fire manager Erik ten Hag to turn things around at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman avoided the sack and was given a contract extension in the summer, after beating Man City in the FA Cup final at Wembley. That secured a second trophy in as many years for Ten Hag.

Even though his contract runs until 2026, Ten Hag is facing another battle to keep his job after poorly starting the 2024/25 campaign. United are 14th in the Premier League table and have drawn their first two Europa League matches.

There is growing speculation that United could turn to former Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, who won the Champions League during his time at Chelsea.

Rooney believes Ten Hag is a fantastic manager

Manchester United executives are set to meet in London today and Ten Hag’s future will be part of the agenda.

Ten Hag has received the support of former United star and current Plymouth Argyle manager, Rooney, ahead of the major meeting.

When asked about whether Ten Hag is the right man to take United forward, Rooney told Sky Sports (via Daily Mail): “Well that’s obviously down to the owners of the football club to look at that. I’m sure Ten Hag is a fantastic manager.

“He’s won trophies wherever he’s been and won trophies at Man 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.”

Rooney also believes that the players need to take some responsibility for the team’s current situation.

He added: “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.

“I know 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 is a big turnaround of players over the last few years. You just want to see them challenging again.”

It’s bizarre that Sky Sports would focus on United in an interview with the Plymouth Argyle manager after they’ve started the season on a positive note.

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