What Wayne Rooney did after Plymouth lose again speaks volumes for Man United icon in crisis

Wayne Rooney cut a forlorn figure as he addressed the media following an eighth match in a row without victory. His Plymouth Argyle side were beaten 2-0 by fellow Championship strugglers Oxford United in a match that piles the pressure on Manchester United's former captain.

Already languishing at the bottom of the table, Plymouth lost their seventh match in the last eight to condemn Rooney to an utterly miserable festive period. Argyle were well beaten on Boxing Day by Frank Lampard's Coventry City, going down 4-0 away from home.

Another trip before New Year offered the chance to bounce back but Plymouth's fortunes continued to go unchanged with yet another damaging result. It leaves Rooney with just four league wins in 23 since joining over the summer.

Speaking afterwards, there was little positivity from the ex-Birmingham City, D.C United, and Derby County boss. "I thought it was quite a tight, even game to be honest until they score," he said, analysing play before the 14th minute opener. "And it's a goal we've seen [before] and it's a goal we've done a lot of work on over the last two days after conceding goals against Coventry from crosses.

"Again we don't get tight enough to crosses, I think [Adam] Randell slips and they get a goal. So, it's just the basics of football we've been working on and drilling into the players a lot over the last two days. I think that's cost us today."

Damning words indeed for his team's ability to remain resolute. Rooney also fielded questions over his own future, which had been under the microscope already due to the extended run of poor form.

"That's a question for the board," he replied. "I understand how football works. All I can do is keep trying to work as hard as I can. It's