Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has hailed Erik ten Hag as a “fantastic manager” and hopes the under-fire coach can turn things around at Old Trafford.

Speculation around Ten Hag’s future at Man Utd has been rife in recent weeks thanks to the club enduring their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign.

Despite spending around £180m on new players during the summer transfer window, the Red Devils currently sit in 14th place in the league table having lost three of their first seven games of 2024/25.

Speaking to Sky Sports about Ten Hag’s recent struggles at Man Utd, club legend and current Plymouth boss Rooney insisted the manager is not the only person to blame for the plight, saying that players need to also take responsibility for their subpar performances.

“I’m sure Erik Ten Hag is a fantastic manager,” said Rooney. “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.”

Man Utd will be back in action after the international break when they face off against Brentford, Fenerbahce and West Ham in quick succession.

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