Wayne Rooney admits ‘tough’ moment came with all Man Utd players failing to do something for David Moyes
Wayne Rooney has recalled what went wrong with the Manchester United players under David Moyes during the Everton manager’s ill-fated reign at Old Trafford.
David Moyes returns to Old Trafford on Monday evening for Everton’s Premier League clash against former side Manchester United in the post-November break.
Who is Manchester United’s best manager since Sir Alex Ferguson?
The 62-year-old Scotsman took charge of the Red Devils in 2013 after the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of the Premier League club as United manager.
Sir Alex Ferguson led United to their final Premier League title in the 2012-13 campaign and Moyes oversaw a disastrous reign in the following season.
Wayne Rooney was all too familiar with working under former United manager Moyes, having burst onto the scene at Everton as a teenager in the 2000s.
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Wayne Rooney explains what Man Utd players struggled to do under David Moyes’ Old Trafford reign
David Moyes’ Manchester United spell started with the Red Devils’ 2-0 Community Shield win over Wigan Athletic at Wembley in 2013 ahead of the new season.
The Everton head coach failed to live up to the high expectations that were placed on his shoulders after he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in the Old Trafford dugout.
Speaking on his podcast, Wayne Rooney discussed the current woes of Liverpool under Arne Slot and compared it with United’s experience under Moyes.
Ruben Amorim vs David Moyes records at Manchester United
Infographic by SofaScore showing Ruben Amorim vs David Moyes record at Manchester United.
“When it’s not gone well, they keep going back to his name,” he said on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show.
“For us, as players, you’ve just got to listen to the new manager, see what he wants tactically, try and help him in whatever way you can and work.
“That’s what we try to do.”
Rooney then added that United failed to adapt under Moyes’ demands before the former Red Devils manager was axed from the Premier League club in 2014.
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“Obviously, we weren’t good enough,” he continued.
“It cost David Moyes’ job. You’ve got to just adapt.
“I’m sure a lot of players have played under so many different managers. You have to adapt to whoever comes in.”
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Wayne Rooney on his relationship with David Moyes and Man Utd sacking the Everton manager
Moyes left Old Trafford after only 10 months in charge and United icon Ryan Giggs was appointed interim manager in 2014 until the end of the Premier League season.
Rooney said that it was a “tough” moment to see what happened to Moyes and that the United players were responsible for his eventual sacking from the club.
“Yeah, it was tough, obviously, because I knew him. I knew from when I was at Everton,” he said.
“So yeah, that was tough. And I don’t know where we finished. It was like eighth or something. And so, we had a terrible season from just winning the Premier League.
“So, it’s not easy because, ultimately, how you play as a group of players has an effect on that person’s job. So, the best managers find a way to get the best out of different players. But ultimately, as a group, you didn’t do it.
“You know, you cost him his job.”
United finished the 2013-14 Premier League season in seventh place and Louis van Gaal was appointed as the club’s permanent successor to Moyes in 2014.
