Wayne Rooney may have left Manchester United in the summer of 2017 but the former England captain is still keeping an eye on his former side.

Rooney joined MLS outfit DC United this summer following one season with Everton. Man United currently sit eighth in the Premier League table, nine points off top spot, and manager Jose Mourinho has come in for criticism of late.

The Portuguese tactician’s future at Old Trafford appears uncertain, but Rooney says the players have to take some of the blame for their sluggish start to the campaign.

“Obviously they are going through a difficult period at the minute, but Jose Mourinho is very experienced and I think some players have to do a little bit better,” he told the BBC.

“Hopefully they can turn their form around, win a few more games and keep the pressure on the top of the table and get back up there, which is where we all want to see them.”

United are five points adrift of Arsenal in fourth place, widely seen as the minimum requirement for Mourinho this season if he is to remain in charge.

The Old Trafford outfit are 3.50 to secure a top four finish or 67.00 to win the Premier League outright.

Next up for United is a trip to Bournemouth on Saturday and they are 2.05 to claim the win. The Cherries can be backed at 3.60 and a draw is 3.50.