Wayne Rooney pinpoints alarming reason for Manchester United struggles this season

Wayne Rooney suggests Manchester United have struggled this season because they are a team of individuals. It's been a hugely disappointing season at Old Trafford for Rooney's former side, with United now facing a battle to finish in the top-four ahead of their fellow contenders Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham.

A heavy defeat for the Gunners against Crystal Palace on Monday night has given feint hope that United could still finish fourt, despite dropping more points at home to Leicester on Saturday. In the race for Champions League qualification, Arsenal and Tottenham boast a three-point advantage and Mikel Arteta's men also have another game in hand.

During a guest appearance on Sky Sports show Monday Night Football, former United striker Rooney outlined his view on the current squad and assessed their top-four chances. While cutting his managerial teeth at cash-strapped Derby, the 36-year-old has naturally kept an eye on events at Old Trafford and beyond.

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Rooney highlighted inconsistencies as a factor in United struggling to keep up with the pace this season, while he also urged the club to press forward with plans to appoint a permanent manager. Key figures in the boardroom see Erik ten Hag from Ajax as the preferred candidate in that regard.

Rooney said: "I t has been strange. If I'm being honest, I have been to a few of the games and it looks like a team of individuals.

"If one makes a mistake, then it makes it more difficult for the team. They are going through a tough time at the club and the one thing that I want is for them to get the manager situation sorted as soon as possible."

On the top-four race, Rooney said: