Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney feels Jose Mourinho is being made the easy target for the players’ shortcomings during the ongoing campaign. The Red Devils have been far from impressive since the Premier League season started in August and they find themselves seven points behind the leaders after just eight matches into the campaign.

As a result, there has been plenty of criticism levied towards the club’s head coach but Rooney believes the player have to stand up and produce strong performances on the field, he told The Telegraph: “It’s tough [at United], it has been a tough situation.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. It [the poor run of form] is a bit of everything coming together but Jose is an easy target. Some of the players have to be better.”

A recent report from The Mirror indicated that Mourinho would be axed following the Newcastle United game regardless of the result but that has certainly not happened with the hierarchy sticking with the Portuguese for the moment. Nonetheless, they may not continue to offer the same support, should the results not improve in the forthcoming months.

United are currently only eighth on the table with a seven-point gap to toppers Manchester City but this gap could extend further following the international break where they have a difficult trip to west London to face Chelsea. Traditionally, United have not passed the test with flying colours and they can expect another tough challenge with Eden Hazard in the form of his life.