Manchester United legend Roy Keane sends Wayne Rooney warning over new job

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has warned Wayne Rooney to expect criticism following his appointment as Birmingham City manager.

The former Derby County and DC United boss has joined the St Andrews outfit on a three-and-a-half-year contract following the sacking of John Eustace last week. Rooney has struggled for success so far during his managerial career but his new side are hunting promotion to the Premier League this season and currently sit sixth in the Championship table.

United's all-time leading goalscorer moved from his playing role at Derby into the manager’s seat in November 2020. They were bottom of the Championship at the time but climbed to 18th, eight points clear of the relegation zone, before a late-season slump saw them survive by just a point.

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But relegation eventually came the following season after a total of 21 points were deducted – 12 for entering administration and nine for historical financial breaches. Rooney won 24, drew 22 and lost 39 of his 85 games as manager, including those with the managerial group in charge, for a 28.2 per cent win rate.

Rooney then joined MLS outfit DC United in July 2022 but missed out on a place in the play-offs this season, leading to his departure. His final record in all competitions, including two games in the US Open Cup and three in the Leagues Cup, read won 14, drew 14, lost 26.

That gives him an overall managerial record of 38 wins from 139 games (27.3 per cent), with 36 draws and 65 defeats. His teams have scored 138 goals, fewer than one per match, and conceded 186. And United icon Keane says