Wayne Rooney delivers brutal assessment of Erik ten Hag’s time in charge of Man Utd

Wayne Rooney delivered a brutal assessment of Erik ten Hag’s time in charge of Manchester United.

Dutchman Ten Hag was appointed manager of United in the summer of 2022 after impressing at Ajax.

Having worked with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, big things were expected from Ten Hag.

His first season in charge was decent after he led the team to the Carabao Cup and Champions League qualification.

However, the 23/24 season has been one to forget as United currently sit eighth in the Premier League table.

In the Champions League, United fell at the first hurdle after finishing bottom of their group behind Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Speaking ahead of United’s match against Arsenal on Sunday, club legend Rooney gave a brutal assessment of Ten Hag’s tenure.

He said: “It's so difficult. It's very unpredictable. As Mikel [Arteta] was saying, you come into Old Trafford and you've no idea what performance you are going to get or what team you are going to see. Potentially, they could win the game.

“I've come and have no idea what is going to happen here, so that is the disappointing thing. Throughout the season, the goals they have conceded, the lack of desire at times. We finished seventh when David Moyes was here, but it never ever, I know Moyes lost his job, but it never felt as bad as what it is now.”

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Rooney added: “I think they all are [fighting for their jobs]. Managers, players, coaches, recruitment. The whole club. This end of the season they have some difficult games coming up and then they have the FA Cup final.

“For me, as a player, you have to show you work and that you want to play for this football club. That has to start from today, you can’t just turn it on for the FA Cup final. It has to start from today.”

Speaking about how the owners would react to the club’s disappointing season, Ten Hag said: “For me, as a player, you have to show you work and that you want to play for this football club. That has to start from today, you can’t just turn it on for the FA Cup final. It has to start from today.

“They know it will have a negative impact on results. And still, we are fighting and it is huge, the FA Cup final. We are very happy to be there and it can still be a highlight for this season. Of course, we are not happy.”