Show respect
> Rooney tells Devils to play with more pride, passion
WAYNE ROONEY has urged Manchester United’s under-achieving stars to show more respect for their troubled club. United are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League and have made a slow start to their Champions League campaign.
Sunday’s 2-1 win over Everton did little to lift the gloom around Old Trafford, with United manager Jose Mourinho under scrutiny following a spluttering run which has seen key players fail to produce consistent performances.
Mourinho has clashed with United stars including Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial.
And Rooney, who became United’s record goalscorer before leaving in 2017, believes it is down to the team’s highly-paid stars to play with more pride and passion regardless of their issues with Mourinho.
In an interview with Football Focus, published on the BBC Sport website, DC United striker Rooney said: “Obviously they are going through a difficult period at the minute, but Jose (Mourinho) is very experienced and I think some players have to do a little bit better.
“Hopefully they can turn their form around, win a few more games and keep the pressure on the top of the table and get back up there, which is where we all want to see them.
“In my experience, I have never seen or heard of a player not wanting to play in the game because they have had a falling out with the manager.
“I don’t think as a player you could do that, you’ve got to respect the club and the fans and also respect your teammates.
“I don’t think any player, certainly at Manchester United, will be not playing for Jose, I’m sure they’re all working hard behind the scenes to get results.” Another former great and club captain Bryan Robson says that forward Marcus Rashford needs to improve his finishing skills and target 20 to 30 goals
per season whether he United States national team after this season, expects Rooney and strike partner Luciano Acosta to cause problems for his defence.
“Rooney’s overall quality, his timing of his movements is excellent, his passing is excellent, his finishing and shooting is really good,” Berhalter said.
“Acosta has taken his game to a different level with the addition of Rooney – very dynamic, very good off the dribble. Overall, a really good player.”
Former Boca Juniors and Estudiantes forward Acosta says Rooney has transformed his season. Since Rooney arrived at the club, Acosta has netted nine goals with 10 assists in 20 games.
“He’s one of the best,” Acosta told the Washington Post.
“He does everything so well and makes it look easy on the field. It wasn’t hard for me to complement him.
“You learn his movements and learn how he plays, where he wants the ball and where he is going to serve the ball. For me, it was not difficult to learn.” – AFP plays as a central striker or on the wing.
Rashford, who turned 21 yesterday, has scored just once in seven Premier League appearances and failed to shine in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Everton when deployed in a central role.
Robson was pleased with the improvement in Rashford’s strength and stamina but said the England international had to do more to take the next step in his development.
“The only thing I’d like to see is his finishing being that little bit better, where we get Marcus up to 20 or 30 goals in a season, whether he’s playing out wide or through the middle,” Robson, who spent 13 years at United, told the club website.
“He’s adapted well, because he has been playing wide as a player for quite some time now. But it educates you as a player and Marcus is going the right way to be a top-class player for Manchester United over the years ahead,” the 61year-old added.
Meanwhile, former Red Devils defender Jaap Stam has revealed a desire to manage his old club if Mourinho gets sacked.
“I hope to work sometime for an absolute top club,” Stam said.
“It should be no surprise that Manchester United are a dream club for me.
“That was the situation during my playing career, and it is still the case.” – AFP