Wayne Rooney weighs in on Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has dismissed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is solely in the hands of the club’s footballing department.

The pressure is mounting on the Red Devils boss after a dismal start to the Premier League season, marking the worst in the club’s history.

Amid crisis talks, there have been suggestions that the former Ajax manager could be dismissed.

Ratcliffe, a minority owner of United, has publicly stated that the decision regarding the managerial position does not rest with him but with the club’s footballing leadership.

However, Rooney disagrees and believes that the INEOS owner will ultimately have the final say.

When asked if Ten Hag is the right man for the job at Manchester United, Wayne Rooney said: “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.”

And while hinting that a decision could be imminent, Rooney also urged the Red Devils players to take responsibility for the current situation.

He added: “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.”

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