Rooney wants the players to be accountable for an early Champions League exit and the struggle to qualify for next season’s competition. ‘It’s unfair to say it’s (down to) the manager,’ said the captain. ‘We’re on the pitch, so the players have to take a lot of responsibility for performances and results. We have to stand up and take criticism when it’s there. We want to win, of course — we always want to win — and we’re trying. Even when you’re giving 100 per cent, it doesn’t always come off.’ Rooney, who stylishly scored the first goal in the 3-1 win at Derby, confirmed suspicions that the Dutchman had at least partially abandoned his philosophy in pursuit of entertainment. ‘It’s unfair to say it’s (down to) the manager. We’re on the pitch. The manager gave us a lot of freedom to go and play and I think you can see the difference in the team. You can see we were enjoying it, scoring some good goals and thoroughly deserved to win so hopefully we can put in another performance like this against Stoke on Tuesday.’ Rooney followed a different script to Van Gaal, who bristled when asked whether the more expansive game was down to changes in United’s game or Derby’s failings. ‘Why? I cannot answer this question, your question is only to say tomorrow, “they had more freedom”. They didn’t have more freedom. They always have freedom from me. It’s the same philosophy, the same training sessions the past three days.’ Van Gaal admitted he does not know how the Old Trafford faithful will react to him on Tuesday, but he insisted: ‘It’s not important that they yell at me. It’s more important that they are supporting the players. The players have the most difficult task. They have to give a result at that hour with that resistance. There are no excuses. ‘It’s also fantastic that there is such a big (following) coming to see boring Manchester United.’
When you play a cup game where both teams want to win, we will see plenty of opportunities for United to create chances. But in the league (and I'm sure Hughes will be saying this to his players) teams will just sit back and allow United to play in front of them. As a result it will be 0-0 at half time. Then as the game goes on and the pressure for United to score builds and their passing becomes more forced and erratic, the opposition can counter and take their chances.
Rooney is right. It is the players fault...... particularly those players being played out of position week after week, especially those flair players who make the decision not to play but to sit on the bench week after week...................not to mention those players who do get a game but then seem hesitant and fearful about playing attacking, penetrative football and instead pass the ball to death. Yeah Wayne - obviously all the players fault. Stop sucking up and making yourself the next manager's captain and put in a few good performances againt top flight competition and we could still be ok for 4th.
Why has Wazza said this when it's a fact that the players told Woodwood they wanted LVG sacked? I know that to be true as @astroturfnaut said so. The dozy ****.
No matter whose fault it is, at least they admitted on their failings or they are just covering each other's arse?
