Wayne Rooney believes Ruben Amorim must turn to one Manchester United star to provide leadership to the current squad following their defeat in the Manchester derby.
Amorim’s side suffered a 3-0 defeat by Man City on Sunday, with Phil Foden opening the scoring before Erling Haaland struck twice.
The result continues an underwhelming start to the season for the Red Devils, who have won one of their four Premier League games and also suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby.
Rooney, Man United’s record goalscorer, identified a lack of leadership in the current side and believes Harry Maguire would help to address the issue.
Speaking on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show, he questioned why Maguire has been left out of the starting line-up in the league this season.
Amorim had opted for Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw in a back three at the Etihad, with Maguire coming off the bench in the 62nd minute.
Manchester United slumped to a 3-0 defeat by Man City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday
Wayne Rooney has expressed concerns over a lack of leadership in the Man United side
Rooney insisted Harry Maguire must start for Man United to help address the issue
‘Harry should be starting,’ Rooney said. I heard Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink talking about it and how much England missed Harry Maguire at the Euros because he’s a leader.
‘I’m sat there thinking how is he not playing with the three defenders who are playing.
‘He should be in there, there’s a lack of leadership.’
Rooney joined former Man United captain Roy Keane in questioning his former side’s passion in the derby.
The match ended without a yellow card being shown as Man United limped to defeat against their neighbours.
‘At the Etihad, you can lose that game but I didn’t see a tackle – even when I goes to 2-0, 3-0. I didn’t see anyone say “do you know what, I’m not having this” and taking a yellow card or putting a tackle in,’ Rooney said.
‘That passion, that desire. It’s continuing and continuing. I want to be as positive and supportive and I can be on the manager and the players but it’s very difficult to sit here and say we’re seeing a progression, at least we’re seeing things that will get results in the near future.’
One positive for Man United from the derby was Benjamin Sesko being given his first Premier League start, as the big money summer signing continues to adapt following his move from RB Leipzig.
Rooney expressed sympathy for Benjamin Sesko having been presented with limited chances
The Manchester derby defeat has increased pressure on Man United boss Ruben Amorim
Sesko, who joined for £74million, has had limited chances to get off the mark for his new club to date and was replaced after 80 minutes with the Etihad.
Rooney admitted he feels sympathetic to Sesko, as he suggested the 22-year-old is currently feeding off hopeful balls into the box rather than being presented with high quality chances.
‘The one positive I will find is they did put a lot of crosses into the box and did get into some really good areas,’ Rooney said.
‘Sesko didn’t really have many opportunities and looked a bit off it fitness-wise but I thought United got into some really good areas. It looked like the crosses were just being put in there for the sake of it.
‘What I will say for any centre forward or Sesko is when that’s happening it’s very difficult to time your run and to try to get on the end of things.’
Man United will look to respond to their latest setback when they travel to Stamford Bridge next Saturday to face Chelsea.
