Wayne Rooney insists Manchester United's current situation is WORSE than it was under David Moyes.
The West Ham boss - who will step down from his role at the Hammers after the season ends - was hand-picked to be Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Old Trafford after the legendary boss brought his time in the dugout to an end. However, he was unceremoniously ousted before the end of his first season after failing to secure Champions League qualification, resulting in United's worst standing in 24 years.
Despite these low points, Rooney - who was United's top scorer during the Moyes era - claims that the club's position now is worse under Erik ten Hag, with the Red Devils languishing in eighth place in the English Premier League. The United icon held nothing back, expressing his concern for the future of the Dutch manager and his squad.
Rooney told Sky Sports: "It's so difficult. It's very unpredictable. As Mikel [Arteta] was saying, you come into Old Trafford and you've no idea what performance you are going to get or what team you are going to see. I've come and have no idea what is going to happen here, so that is the disappointing thing.
"Throughout the season, the goals they have conceded, the lack of desire at times. We finished seventh when David Moyes was here, but it never ever, I know Moyes lost his job, but it never felt as bad as what it is now.
"I think they all are [fighting for their jobs]. Managers, players, coaches, recruitment. The whole club. This end of the season they have some difficult games coming up and then they have the FA Cup final.
"For me, as a player, you have to show you work and that you want to play for this football club. That has to start from today, you can't just turn it on for the FA Cup final. It has to start from today."
Ten Hag has attempted to defend his side's dreadful season, blaming their struggles on their injury problems. And he insisted that United have succeeded in part by reaching the FA Cup Final. They come up against Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side as they bid to end what has been an extremely difficult campaign on a high and with silverware.
He said: "I think they [the owners] have common sense and then see when you have 32 different backlines. When you have eight centre-backs, you use eight centre-backs. They see when you use 13 partnerships in centre-half, when you don't have a left full-back when we have so many injuries."
"They know it will have a negative impact on results. And still, we are fighting and it is huge, the FA Cup final. We are very happy to be there and it can still be a highlight for this season. Of course, we are not happy. But we know the reasons why we are underperforming in the league now, that is because of the injuries. I am a realistic person and I see this when I make this analysis. No team will perform when you have so many injuries in key areas."
