Wayne Rooney has given his judgement on the future of Erik ten Hag as Manchester United as the Red Devils boss continues to face pressure for his job.
United have endured a difficult season under the Dutchman, struggling in both Europe and the Premier League with it unclear whether the former Ajax man will remain in his role next season.
New minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is yet to decide whether he will look for a new manager to lead his era having taken over footballing operations earlier on this year.
Though Ten Hag hasn’t been helped by an injury crisis that has engulfed his squad, recent form has been a concern, losing 4-0 to Crystal Palace on Monday last time out, and a decision is expected after the FA Cup final at the end of the month.
Rooney, meanwhile, opened up on Ten Hag, and urged the struggling United players to show what they are made of in the final few games of the season.
Wayne Rooney has given his verdict on the future of Erik ten Hag (pictured) at Manchester United
The Dutchman is under pressure with the Red Devils struggling in his second season in charge
United legend Rooney gave a brutal assessment of what he feels awaits Ten Hag in the future
When asked on Sky Sports if he thinks Ten Hag’s job is on the line, Rooney said: ‘I think they all are. Manager, coaches, players, recruitment, the whole club.
‘I think the this end of the season obviously got some difficult games coming up, and then they’ve got the FA Cup Final. So for me as a player, now you need to show you where to you want to play for this football club, and you’ve got a big game to end the season against Manchester City, but that has to start from today.
‘You can’t just turn it on in a n FA Cup final. So it has to start from today and go on up until our final.’
United, who were hit by a major breach after a YouTube prankster got onto their team bus after defeat at Palace – have struggled to find a manager that can help replicate the success of Sir Alex Ferguson, a manager Rooney spent several years playing under, winning a plethora of trophies.
The likes of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all come and gone, and Ten Hag could be next on the chopping block.
Rooney was still at United when Moyes took over from Ferguson, a spell that lasted just 10 months before he was relieved of his duties.
‘We finished seventh with under David Moyes when I was here,’ Rooney continued. ‘I know that Moyes lost his job, but it never, ever felt as bad as it was what it is now.’
Rooney added that things were ‘never as bad under David Moyes (right) as they are currently
Ten Hag has continued to insist that United’s struggled this season have not been down to him
Ten Hag has come out fighting in recent days, as he continues to blame factors beyond his control for his side’s struggled this term.
Leaping to the defence of his players, the 54-year-old blasted critics in the build-up to his side’s game against Arsenal on Sunday.
‘In almost every game except Palace, they have fought,’ he said. ‘There is a good team spirit.
‘We saw it against Brentford, Chelsea, Liverpool, Coventry until 70 minutes. They were resilient against Sheffield United, and the physical output against Burnley , their third game in six days, was incredible.
‘I see some comments (from pundits). Either they don’t have any knowledge of football or managing a football team.’
