Wayne Rooney has now been discussing a worrying trend he’s noticed at Manchester United this year when they concede goals.
Despite the triumph of lifting the FA Cup against Manchester City at Wembley – a victory that shouldn’t be understated, it was perhaps still an underwhelming season for United.
Finishing eighth, Erik ten Hag and his team suffered 14 defeats, an untenable amount to enjoy a successful season.
Of course, that is why Ten Hag’s job is currently under review, with a decision on the Dutchman’s future expected imminently.
Despite reports that Ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the outcome at Wembley, it seems that is not necessarily the case – and the club have now been warning shortlisted managerial candidates that they may not make a change after all.
Regardless of who is in charge, United will need to make big improvements, and when speaking on The Overlap, Rooney has just identified a slight mentality issue.
Rooney mentioned Marcus Rashford as an example to support his argument, saying heads go down far too quickly when the side go a goal behind.
Wayne Rooney thinks Man United still don’t have any leaders in their dressing room
Speaking with Gary Neville, Rooney explained that he still doesn’t know who the leader is at the club right now.
He said: “That’s the one thing I would say about Man United now. I look at the team and I am still asking questions like who is the leader.
“You are still asking questions like who is the leader in there. I said this a few weeks ago when Marcus was getting stick for his body language.
“I think he has always been like that. I don’t think he has ever been a big talker on the pitch. I think he has always been like that.
“When he is going through a tough moment or you want him to work a bit harder, I think some of the more senior players have got to demand that of him.
“I think every time Man United concede a goal, heads go down too quickly and you almost think there is no way they are getting back in the game.”
Is Lisandro Martinez ready to step up?
Of course, that’s unlikely to be something Manchester United can solve in the transfer market immediately.
But perhaps in a summer in which they’ll lose a few experienced heads like Raphael Varane, and perhaps even Casemiro, it could actually pave the way for new personalities to step forward.
Bruno Fernandes might rebuff Rooney’s comments, believing he is leading by example, even if he’s not a typical Roy Keane type captain the club has seen previously.
And perhaps even players like Lisandro Martinez can become key figures, an extremely competitive character who certainly has the will to win.
All that being said, and in terms of players who are starting to step up, a defender United bought for just £19m in 2018 is now thought to be worth more than City’s Ruben Dias.