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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has attributed some of Erik ten Hag’s struggles to the club’s failure to secure a “good core of British players.”
Ten Hag is currently hanging by a thread after winning just two of his seven Premier League games this season.
After Sunday’s draw stalemate against Aston Villa, the Dutchman has recorded United’s worst-ever start to a campaign. He has beaten his own record in the process.
Last term, he made history by taking just nine points in the first seven games. At the moment, United have only eight points as they sit in 14th position in the table.
Rooney spoke on talkSPORT and had his say on his former side’s woes.
United’s record goalscorer said, “I think for everyone who wants Manchester United to do well, it’s been frustrating.”
“Manchester United are 14th in the Premier League, it’s not where they want to be. I think what United have done in the last few years, they’ve changed the managers and they’ve tried to go with a new manager and try and rebuild, but whatever one they’ve brought in hasn’t quite worked.”
“Erik ten Hag, he’s an experienced manager, I know he’s trying extremely hard to get it right.”
“I think the culture of the football club is… we’ve seen a lot of players who are coming in, a lot of foreign players. I think Manchester United’s identity was always a good core of British players and I think that’s maybe missing a little bit, so players who can control the dressing room and help the manager out when they’re going through a difficult period.”
“So I think that’s a big change, if you like, from what I’ve seen over the last few years, but we hope Ten Hag can turn it around and get them back challenging.”
Rooney insisted that while winning cups is great, the Premier League title should remain United’s top priority.
The 38-year-old insisted that at the moment, the Red Devils are “a long way” from winning England’s biggest and most prestigious trophy.
He added, “I think bringing the new owners in, Jim Ratcliffe and [sporting director] Dan Ashworth, they’ve got a good group of people in there, I believe.”
“I think, slowly but surely, there’s changes happening at the football club. I was there last week and seeing the changes happening at the training ground.”
“You know, you’re seeing small changes which eventually help the football club and, you know, you hope they get it right and I think recruitment is massive and they’ve brought some good men in to help with that.”
United return to action on Saturday 19 October, when they host Thomas Fran’s Brentford at Old Trafford.
Feature image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
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