Wayne Rooney taunts Leeds fans who targeted him with 'sacked in the morning' chants during Plymouth's thrashing at Elland Road

It marked another tough visit for the former England captain, who had also faced similar chants at this ground on New Year's Day when his Birmingham squad were thrashed by the Whites. And indeed, Rooney was shown the door the next day by the Blues.

Although Rooney continues to be at the helm at Plymouth for the time being, the game exposed their struggles in every department. From the opening whistle, Leeds appeared to be in total control, ending the game with approximately 80 per cent possession. Plymouth's players struggled to make a dent in the action, recording no shots on target throughout the match, which further highlights the plight of Rooney's men.

On the back of a comfortable victory, Leeds fans reportedly chanted 'sacked in the morning’ around Elland Road. Shades of last season when Birmingham were torn apart and Rooney was axed a few days later.

However, Rooney later dismissed the chants, remarking with a smile, "I didn’t hear anything, maybe they can sing a bit louder."

The cheeky response highlighted his experience with hecklers and his ability to brush off crowd criticism, even in the face of what proved to be a rough afternoon for his side.

Plymouth's defeat at Elland Road continued a troubling trend, especially when it comes to their away-game performances. They have now failed to score in seven out of their eight away fixtures this season, underscoring their struggle to find consistent form on the road. With this loss, Plymouth slid into the relegation zone, moving down by goal difference following Luton's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

The upcoming home fixture against Portsmouth on Tuesday could prove pivotal for Rooney, as he attempts to rally his team and deliver a much-needed victory. Another defeat to the bottom-placed side will put the former striker firmly under the scanner.