Wayne Rooney has called on his former Manchester United teammates to step up and perform in order to direct fire away from manager Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese, under investigation by The FA following comments made after the final whistle in the 3-2 defeat of Newcastle, has claimed he is at the centre of a ‘man hunt’ following United’s dire start to the Premier League season.
After reports that the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager was set to be sacked last weekend, a second half fightback against Rafa Bentiez’s side was sign there is still life in his tenure.
And while there are clear issues surrounding Mourinho, former United skipper Rooney says the players must do more.
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“It’s tough [at United], it has been a tough situation,” Rooney told the Telegraph.
“The players, the manager, it has been a tough start to the season. I know Jose is getting a load of stick but I said a few weeks ago, the players have to stand up.
“They have to be counted and they have to be better. The manager can do so much but then it is down to the players on the pitch to produce and probably collectively. It [the poor run of form] is a bit of everything coming together but Jose is an easy target.
“Some of the players have to be better.”
He added: “I said the same thing when Louis van Gaal was there. He took a lot of stick but behind closed doors I said to the players, ‘We have to be doing better’. Personally I think he [Van Gaal] set us up brilliantly the way but we didn’t produce on the pitch so I am sure that is getting said behind the scenes.”
United beat Newcastle at the weekend with Mourinho saving his job courtesy of goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez.
It was, however, a chastening afternoon for both Rashford and Bailly.
Both men started for Manchester United but Bailly was hooked after just 19 minutes, having been given the run-around by Newcastle’s attack.
Rashford was then withdrawn at half-time with the England international producing an insipid display.And The Sun say the Manchester United star was unhappy at Mourinho’s decision to take him off.
However, he is also said to be ‘bemused’ by his manager’s decision to criticise him.After the match, Mourinho expressed a belief that the 20-year-old was ‘sad.’
“I cope with it with some sadness obviously and I survive, I am mature, I am a big boy,” he said, referring to the pressure.“But clearly some of the boys… Marcus Rashford was sad on the pitch Scott McTominay was scared and even all the players they committed mistakes that are not normal.”
And the Sun claim Bailly is also unhappy.
The Ivory Coast international’s dire display seems to stem from Mourinho’s lack of faith in him.
And Rio Ferdinand thinks there is no way back for the defender now.
“I feel sorry for Scott McTominay,” he said.
“He’s a centre midfielder being forced to play centre half.
“And this guy, I don’t see a way back for Bailly. Dragged off.
“The manager stated last game ‘I don’t have defenders that can play the ball out from the back’.
“He’s been made the fall guy here.”