Sir Alex Ferguson was 'the godfather of Man United says Wayne Rooney

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney insisted the club has struggled ever since 'a void was left' by the departure of boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Red Devils went from a Premier League powerhouse right up until Ferguson's retirement at the end of the 2012/13 season to a team struggling to reach the top four ever since.

They have had the odd moments of success along the way, but a long string of managers have failed to live up to the Scotsman, including big names such as Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal.

Rooney, the club's all-time greatest goalscorer, revealed that the era following Ferguson’s departure left a void at the club and it was arguably an impossible task for now West Ham manager David Moyes.

'When Sir Alex retired, I think everyone knew it was going to be a very difficult job,' Rooney told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

'David Moyes came in and it didn't work out and from then, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, we've had good managers but Manchester United is a different club to many clubs around the world.'

The former England international has openly backed Mauricio Pochettino to become the next Red Devils boss.

But the Derby County manager knows whoever is going to turn it around at Old Trafford needs to be given time.

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Guard