Rooney backs Mourinho, says onus on United players
LONDON: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 DC United in Major League Soccer, 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.”
JOSE HAS BACKING OF FANS AND CLUB: MOYES
LONDON: Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Jose Mourinho retains the full backing of the club and their supporters despite a poor start to the Premier League.
“I think the club are firmly behind the manager, and he’s been a winner, Jose, throughout his career, so I don’t see why that should suddenly change,” the 55-year-old Scot said.
“It was a great result -- any team that comes from 2-0 down. But the one thing that happens at Old Trafford is the crowd gets right behind you, and is always supportive of the manager and the players,” Moyes, who succeeded Alex Ferguson in 2013, added.
ZAHA SLAMS POGBA FOR COMMENTS
LONDON: Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha on Tuesday criticised Paul Pogba for speaking out and undermining manager Jose Mourinho with his ‘attack, attack, attack’ comments following the team’s 1-1 draw with Wolves at home last month.
“I think he has done it on purpose, and I don’t think that is right,” Saha said. “It’s the wrong communication, it puts pressure on the manager... with those talks you should do it in the dressing room with your manager. You know that people will question about it, so don’t do it. This is my opinion and I would have said that to him, I would say ‘no, that’s not something to say because you are not the manager.”