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Wayne Rooney blasts underperforming Manchester United players amid Ten Hag pressure

By Abhijit Majumder

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Wayne Rooney, manager of Birmingham City looks on whilst his team warm-up ahead of kick-off during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Birmingham City at Riverside Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Wayne Rooney, manager of Birmingham City looks on whilst his team warm-up ahead of kick-off during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Birmingham City at Riverside Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images) /
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Wayne Rooney: A Wake-Up Call for Manchester United Stars

Premier League giants Manchester United have had a torrid start to the season under Erik ten Hag and it has come under the scrutiny of club legend Wayne Rooney, who has unapologetically called out the underperforming players and urged them to take responsibility for the team’s struggles.

Ten Hag, the Dutch manager at the helm of Manchester United, finds himself in a precarious position due to the team’s dismal performance this season. The Red Devils have stumbled through the opening league fixtures, losing half of them and languishing in eighth place in the Premier League.

Adding to their woes, Manchester United have suffered back-to-back 3-0 losses on home soil, first against rivals Manchester City in the derby and then at the hands of Newcastle United in the League Cup. The situation has become so dire that there are reports of the Dutch manager losing the dressing room, with experts predicting not much improvement during the course of the season.

When asked about his sympathy for Ten Hag, Wayne Rooney, the all-time leading goalscorer for Manchester United, acknowledged that enduring pressure is an inherent aspect of a job of such stature. However, he also implied that the players are equally accountable for their lacklustre performance.

Speaking during the press conference, as reported by Sky Sports, ahead of Birmingham’s Championship clash with Ipswich, the 38-year-old stated:

"“That’s the job. That’s part of the job, and we all know that when we take jobs, whatever job that is. I know coming here [Birmingham], there’s a lot of pressure, and I’m sure Ten Hag knows that at Manchester United. I think it’s not going as well as they would have liked or hoped, but I think the players need to take some responsibility as well.I know some of the players in there, and they’re not performing to the levels which I know they can.”"

While acknowledging that managerial pressure is inevitable, Rooney emphasized that it is the players who can make a significant difference on the pitch and called on them to perform at their best to support the manager.

"“Ultimately, it starts and ends with the manager, and that’s part of being a manager. He will get the critics, of course, after the last few weeks, but I think the players can do a lot more than what they’re doing for him,” Rooney added."

The possibility of Ten Hag’s departure looms large, with reports suggesting that the club bosses are already exploring alternatives, if situations do not improve.

The coming weeks are particularly crucial for the Old Trafford outfit, especially the upcoming match against Fulham, the result of which could dramatically shape how the club moves forward.

In other news, why Jude Bellingham rejected Manchester United is finally revealed.

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