Wayne Rooney says he has been ‘hugely impressed’ by Manchester United’s transformation this season and the performances of Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Raphael Varane.
United have largely struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson retired a decade ago, but the club finally appear to be back on the right path under ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils have recovered from a dismal start to the season to climb to third in the Premier League and make solid progress in domestic and European competitions.
Manchester United will face Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, having already lifted the EFL Cup – their first trophy since 2017.
Following a stagnate period at Old Trafford, Rooney says he ‘recognises’ Man United once again and expects his former club to challenge for more trophies under Ten Hag.
‘Manchester United are back to being the club I recognise, the team I went into battle with as a player,’ Rooney told The Times. ‘They’re quite different to the sorry outfit who, in August, I wrote had “no character, no heart”.
‘That was after the shocking 4-0 defeat away to Brentford in Erik ten Hag’s second game and I’ve been hugely impressed with the transformation since.
‘It starts with the mentality. Manchester United look like a side who are fighting for each other and pulling together, a team with personality and guts – which I don’t think was the case for several years.
‘The credit goes to Ten Hag, who has gone about creating the mindset needed for a squad to compete for trophies. A few weeks ago, there even looked a possibility he could challenge for the Premier League title.
‘His team fell short, but they could still end up with three trophies, and I’m sure will finish in the top four, then kick on after he buys a few players to strengthen in the summer.’
Rooney, who won five Premier League titles at Manchester United, praised former Real Madrid stars Casemiro and Varane for bringing a new mentality to Old Trafford and Rashford for his sensational goalscoring record.
Casemiro and Varane have enjoyed impressive seasons at United but Rashford has stole the show, scoring 30 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions.
England legend Rooney added: ‘On the pitch, Casemiro has done a lot to bring the mentality change and Raphael Varane looks more settled and bringing his winning experience to the group. And then there’s Marcus Rashford.
‘If you think back to only a year ago, Marcus was in and out of the starting XI, hardly scoring, playing in different positions and the smile I remembered from that lovely kid who came through the ranks and broke into our team when I was captain was gone.
‘Now, he looks a totally different player and to be in a great place off the pitch as well. You can see he is enjoying his football and is more positive in his running.
‘He penetrates with his runs off the ball and commits defenders when he’s on the ball – doing everything I wrote about wanting to see from him.
‘He has always been a good finisher but, in front of goal, you can see the improvement that comes from confidence.
‘He is taking his chances now without a second’s thought whereas before he was overthinking and taking that extra second, then not being as decisive with his finish as he should be.’
Manchester United continue their Premier League campaign on Sunday afternoon with a trip to St James’ Park to face top-four rivals Newcastle United.
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