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The English Premier League (EPL) is in an "absolute crisis" for Manchester United.
In the 10th round of the 2023-24 EPL, United suffered a 0-3 defeat at the hands of local rivals Manchester City. They finished eighth in the league and suffered another 0-3 defeat to Newcastle in the fourth round of the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup). It was United's second straight defeat at Old Trafford and the first time in 61 years that they had suffered back-to-back three-goal defeats at home.
Calls for the sacking of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal have been growing after the Newcastle game. Angry United fans are calling for the manager's dismissal, and there are reports that the club's board of directors, who have been supportive of the manager, have turned their backs on him. There are even reports that the club is looking for a replacement, including Zinedine Zidane.
Mourinho seems to be taking all the blame for the club's decline. But then someone came along who refused to buy into the narrative. United legend Wayne Rooney, the club's all-time leading goalscorer.
Rooney said that while Van Gaal cannot escape his responsibilities as manager, it is the United players who should feel more accountable.
Rooney told Sky Sports: "Van Gaal is getting all the blame. He can't help it because he's the manager of United. That's our job. It's part of being a manager, you know the responsibilities when you choose this job. It's something that Van Gaal is aware of."
Rooney added: "But it's not all Van Gaal's fault. He's being criticized, but the United players have to take responsibility too. The players are 스포츠토토 responsible for not playing well, for not winning games. Some players are not performing at the level I know they can," he emphasized.
Rooney added: "Ultimately, it's the manager being criticized, it's part of the job. The critics are focusing on the manager. But the United players can do much better. There's a lot more they can do."