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Wayne Rooney Urges Manchester United Players to Step Up for Erik ten Hag

Introduction

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer and club legend, has spoken out about the current challenges facing his former club, urging the players to improve their performances in support of under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag. With United enduring a tough start to the Premier League season, Rooney believes that the Dutch manager is capable of turning things around but insists that the players must take greater responsibility for their recent struggles.

Manchester United’s Tough Start Under Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag, who took the helm at Manchester United in the summer of 2022, has found himself under mounting pressure after a disappointing start to the 2023-24 season. United have managed just two wins from their first seven Premier League matches, placing them in the lower half of the table, far from the title-challenging form expected of a club with their stature. This poor form has raised concerns about the team’s direction and whether ten Hag is the right man to lead them out of their current slump.

Despite these concerns, Rooney, who is now managing Plymouth Argyle, expressed his belief in ten Hag’s abilities. “I’m sure Erik ten Hag is a fantastic manager,” Rooney said in an interview with Sky Sports. “He’s won trophies wherever he’s been and won trophies at Manchester United as well.”

Ten Hag, who had a successful stint at Ajax before joining United, led the club to Carabao Cup success in his first season and restored some optimism among fans. However, this season’s poor start has led to questions about his ability to steer the team forward in the long term.

Rooney’s Support for Ten Hag

While Rooney acknowledged that ten Hag is experiencing a “difficult period,” he emphasized that the blame cannot fall solely on the manager. The club’s struggles, according to Rooney, reflect a broader issue with the players’ performances on the pitch. “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,” Rooney said.

Rooney refrained from offering specific advice to ten Hag, recognizing the Dutchman’s extensive experience and credentials. Instead, he focused on the need for the players to step up and improve their game. “Players again, and I said this last season, need to do better than what they’re doing,” Rooney reiterated.

The Importance of Stability and Patience

Rooney also touched upon the issue of managerial turnover at Manchester United, pointing out the frequent changes in the dugout since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. He urged the club to avoid rushing into yet another managerial change and called for patience during this challenging period. “You hope he [ten Hag] can turn it around because too often managers lose their jobs and then it’s another rebuild with a different manager,” Rooney said.

This sentiment highlights a common issue at top clubs where managers often face the axe after a few poor results, leading to an ongoing cycle of rebuilding. Rooney’s perspective suggests that giving ten Hag the time to implement his vision could pay off in the long run, as constant change has been disruptive to the club’s progress in recent years.

Players Must Take Responsibility

One of the key messages in Rooney’s comments was the call for Manchester United’s players to take more responsibility for the club’s current predicament. The former striker emphasized that it’s not just the manager who needs to improve, but the squad itself. “There’s been a big turnaround of players over the last few years,” Rooney noted, referencing the significant squad changes that have occurred in recent seasons.

Manchester United has indeed undergone a major transformation in its playing roster, with several high-profile signings and departures. However, this upheaval has not yet translated into consistent success on the pitch. Rooney stressed that the team needs to show more ambition and spirit, especially when it comes to delivering performances that meet the high standards expected at Old Trafford.

The Road Ahead for Manchester United

Rooney’s comments come at a time when Manchester United is desperately seeking to rediscover the winning formula that made them one of the most dominant clubs in English football. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for Erik ten Hag, as he tries to find consistency and move the team up the Premier League table. Rooney is optimistic that ten Hag can still turn things around, but he believes it will require both managerial guidance and player accountability to do so.

Reflecting on United’s recent 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, Rooney acknowledged that the team showed some positive signs of improvement but conceded that more is needed to satisfy the club’s passionate fan base. “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,” Rooney said.

Conclusion

Wayne Rooney’s message is clear: while Erik ten Hag is a capable manager with a track record of success, Manchester United’s players need to step up and deliver better performances if the club is to regain its footing. Rooney’s call for patience and stability, along with his belief in the current manager, reflects the understanding that success at a top club takes time and consistent effort from both players and management.

As Manchester United navigates through this difficult period, the focus will be on whether ten Hag can inspire a turnaround and whether the players can rise to the challenge, putting the club back on the path to title contention.

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