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Rooney calls on Man United players to ‘stand up’
LONDON, Oct 9, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Wayne Rooney has called on Manchester
United’s players to stand up and be counted, saying that manager Jose
Mourinho is an easy target for the club’s troubles.
United battled back from two goals down to beat Newcastle 3-2 at the
weekend but are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League, seven
points off top spot.
Following the win, Mourinho accused his critics of staging a “manhunt” to
get him sacked after a string of bad results and rifts with players including
French midfielder Paul Pogba.
But former United captain Rooney, who now plays for D.C. United in Major
League Soccer (MLS), said the players had to take some responsibility for the
situation.
“It’s tough (at United), it has been a tough situation,” he said in
comments reported by Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.
“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) is a bit of
everything coming together but Jose is an easy target. Some of the players
have to be better.”
The former England forward said the situation at Old Trafford was similar
to when Louis van Gaal was at the helm.
“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 but we didn’t produce on the pitch, so I am sure that is getting
said behind the scenes.”
Rooney now has nine goals in 16 matches since signing for D.C. United from
Everton in June.
The 32-year-old striker has played a part in a late-season surge that has
left United two points behind Montreal for the sixth and final Eastern
Conference playoff berth with two games in hand.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1900HRS