Wayne Rooney comes to Jose Mourinho's defence and demands Manchester United players 'stand up'

Former United and England captain compared the club's current situation to the one under predecessor Van Gaal

Wayne Rooney played for Jose Mourinho in the Portuguese's first year as Manchester United manager. Reuters

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has come to the defence of under-fire manager Jose Mourinho by insisting the players must take more responsibility for the club's disappointing start to the season.

United moved up to eighth in the Premier League standings with a 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle United on Saturday night, but they remain seven points behind leaders Manchester City.

The victory at Old Trafford followed widespread media speculation over Mourinho's future at the club, and Rooney threw his support behind his former manager.

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Read more:

Premier League talking points: No Case for Manchester United's defence

Andy Mitten: Newcastle win highlights support Mourinho still has at Man United

'I'm not allowed to talk': Paul Pogba on Manchester United's poor run of form

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"It's tough [at United], it has been a tough situation," Rooney, United's all-time record goalscorer, told the Telegraph.

"The players, the manager, it has been a tough start to the season. I know Jose is getting a load of stick, but I said a few weeks ago, the players have to stand up. They have to be counted and they have to be better.

"The manager can do so much, but then it is down to the players on the pitch to produce and probably collectively. [The poor run of form] is a bit of everything coming together but Jose is an easy target."

Rooney left United last year to join Everton before signing for Major League Soccer side DC United in June.

The 32-year-old believes the current situation at United is similar to Louis van Gaal's two-year reign at the club. The Dutch manager was sacked after winning the FA Cup in 2016.

"I said the same thing when Louis van Gaal was there. He took a lot of stick, but behind closed doors I said to the players, 'We have to be doing better'," Rooney added.

"Personally I think he set us up brilliantly ... but we didn't produce on the pitch, so I am sure that is getting said behind the scenes."

United next visit Chelsea in the league on October 20 and host Italian champions Juventus in the Uefa Champions League group stage three days later.