Manchester United sit seventh in the Premier League and are quite clearly a club on the rise this season, but Wayne Rooney has spotted an area for improvement.
After a poor start to the campaign, Manchester United are now unbeaten in five games, which has resulted in the race for Champions League football heating up.
Ruben Amorim has turned things around at United, but in terms of returning to the top of the Premier League, he is still only on the first rung of the ladder.
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Despite that, things are better than at any point since Ineos arrived at the club in 2024, and so there is rightfully a sense of positivity. However, there have been a few frustrating moments over the past few weeks, preventing things from being even better for Amorim.
Now Wayne Rooney has commented on this.
Manchester United celebrate equaliser against Tottenham.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney on how Manchester United needs to improve going forward
United have let two Premier League wins slip in two games, dropping the lead twice against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
These capitulations came as United were heading toward second place in the league, which could mean it is somewhat mental. Now, speaking on the Overlap fan debate this week, Rooney has explained that United needs to improve in this manner.
“What I think is, on Saturday, there was a time where they were in second place, and I still think the players need to be ready for that and be used to that, because, as I said, I think they thought, right, we win this game, we’re in second place, and then they go a bit cautious and think, oh, we need to not concede.
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“We’re actually going to get another goal and win the game, but I think they’re gradually getting better, gradually improving.”
Rooney is absolutely spot on about this, with United seemingly unable to get over the final hurdle and win when it would be meaningful, also struggling away from home.
Manchester United looking like a real Champions League contender
When this season began, the chances of United securing Champions League football qualification this season were rated at 6.7%, but now, having strung some performances together and sitting well within the chasing pack, it looks possible.
How would you rate Manchester United’s season after 11 Premier League games?
Now, Opta rates United’s chances at 12.2% which is almost double the August numbers, which were thrown around. This means the supercomputer thinks United are more likely to get Champions League than Europa League, with just a 7.89% chance of this.
These figures will continue to rise as long as United win games, and with a favourable run in the next month, the Red Devils could double this chance by the time Christmas Day arrives.
However, to do this, United must cross the barrier and move up the table, winning games in key moments, which has been an issue this season.