'Do better' - Wayne Rooney sends out strong message to Man Utd stars after poor start to season under Erik ten Hag

The Plymouth manager, who scored 253 goals in 559 games for United, admitted it was tough to see his old side languishing down in 14th this season. The former England international is hopeful manager Ten Hag can turn their fortunes around, but was less magnanimous about the Red Devils squad.

He told Sky Sports: “Well that’s obviously down to the owners of the football club to look at that. I’m sure Erik Ten Hag is a fantastic manager. He’s won trophies wherever he’s been and won trophies at Manchester United as well. So yes, he’s going through a difficult period and I think he’d probably say that himself. But you hope he can turn it around because too often managers lose their jobs and then it’s another rebuild with a different manager. 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. I know Erik Ten Hag is doing everything he can to try and improve that. Players again, and I said this last season, need to do better than what they’re doing. There’s a big turnaround of players over the last few years. You just want to see them challenging again.”

United have endured their worst-ever start to a Premier League season with their haul of eight points in seven games in 2024/25. Ten Hag is under pressure to keep his job, his players are, arguably, not performing, and the short-term future seems bleak. If their fortunes don't improve quickly, the ex-Ajax boss could be dismissed from Old Trafford soon.

When the international break comes to an end next week, Ten Hag's United side host Brentford on October 19 in the Premier League, before travelling to Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce five days later in the Champions League.