England legend Wayne Rooney has dropped his telling verdict on Manchester United under Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman’s struggles at Old Trafford this season.
Manchester United have failed to impress in the 2024-25 Premier League season and Erik ten Hag has already faced criticism over the Red Devils’ run of results so far.
The Red Devils played out a 0-0 Premier League draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park last Sunday ahead of the October international break.
United have only managed two wins from their opening seven Premier League matches, with Ten Hag’s side languishing in 14th place in the table.
Ten Hag’s men won’t return to action until 19th October when they host Brentford at Old Trafford, with kick-off slated for 3pm UK time.
Rooney’s ‘issue’ with Man Utd
Speaking on the Stick to Football show, Wayne Rooney insisted that Manchester United players must always be ready to be “criticised” or “praised” at any time.
The England and United legend added that the pressure at Old Trafford is a “constant” factor and he is not convinced that the players “can deal” with it.
However, Rooney suggested that one of the biggest issues that he has seen at the Premier League club is the lack of leaders in the dressing room.
The 38-year-old former United striker claimed that the Red Devils could have had “five or six captains in every” Sir Alex Ferguson team of the past.
“For Manchester United, that’s [pressure] never going to stop, and that’s down to the players’ mindset,” Rooney said on The Overlap.
“You play for Man United; you’re going to get criticised and get praised.
“You see it in the news, it’s constant on Manchester United. I don’t think the players can deal with it.
“That’s the issue, if you look at Manchester United now and look at the teams in the past, you’ve got five or six captains in every team. You look now, I don’t see one.”
Ten Hag on Man Utd future
Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, Erik ten Hag insisted that he had spoken with the United hierarchy amid speculation over his long-term future.
The 54-year-old Dutchman, who signed a new contract in the summer, has faced mounting speculation over his time at Old Trafford after United’s poor start.
“I speak continually with them and, just after the game, I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players, and answer questions for you,” Ten Hag said at his post-match press conference.
He added: “We always talk, every week – I would say every day we talk.
“So, yeah, I expect I would speak with them [this week].”
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