Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is an “easy target” and the players “have to do better”, said former Old Trafford striker Wayne Rooney.
Mourinho has come under pressure after United made their worst start to a league campaign for 29 years.
“The players, the manager, it has been a tough start to the season,” ex-England forward Rooney said.
“I know Jose is getting a load of stick but I said a few weeks ago, the players have to stand up.”
United fought back from two goals down to beat Newcastle 3-2 on Saturday, after reports by one newspaper he was to be sacked regardless of the result.
Mourinho retained the support of the club’s board before the Newcastle game, and following the win said he can “cope with the manhunt” against him.
The 55-year-old added that if it “rains in London” or there are “difficulties with the agreements of Brexit” it will be his fault.
“The manager can do so much but then it is down to the players on the pitch to produce and probably collectively,” Rooney added in the Telegraph.
“It [the form] is a bit of everything coming together but Jose is an easy target. Some of the players have to be better.”
Rooney, 32, left United in 2017 to join Everton before signing for MLS side DC United in the summer.
He played under Mourinho’s predecessor Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford before the Dutchman, who was in charge for two seasons, was sacked after winning the FA Cup in May 2016.
“I said the same thing when Louis van Gaal was there,” Rooney said.
