Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has delivered a devastating verdict on his former club's catastrophic 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, pulling no punches in his assessment of what he describes as "unacceptable" standards at Old Trafford.
Rooney's Raw Reaction to United's Embarrassment
The Derby County manager watched in horror as his former team capitulated at Selhurst Park, with Michael Olise running riot against a disorganised United defence. Rooney didn't mince his words when analysing the performance, highlighting fundamental flaws that have become recurring themes throughout United's dismal season.
"When you look at the game, Palace were better in all areas," Rooney stated bluntly. "They looked sharper, they looked more organised, and unfortunately for United, it was a really poor performance."
Defensive Disarray Under Microscope
Rooney pinpointed United's defensive vulnerabilities as particularly alarming, noting how easily Palace carved through Erik ten Hag's backline. The absence of key defenders through injury provided little consolation in Rooney's eyes, with the United legend insisting basic organisational principles were missing.
"The worrying thing for United was how easy it was for Palace to cut through them," he observed. "There didn't seem to be any real fight or energy about the United team to try and get back into the game once they went behind."
Ten Hag's Tactical Troubles
The former England captain also raised serious questions about Ten Hag's tactical approach, suggesting the Dutchman's system isn't getting the best from available players. Rooney emphasised that United's current squad, while not perfect, possesses more quality than recent performances suggest.
"There are some very good players in that squad," Rooney maintained. "But they're not performing, and that comes down to confidence and the structure of the team."
United's Identity Crisis Deepens
Rooney's comments highlight the growing concern about United's lack of identity and direction. The defeat marked United's 13th loss in the Premier League this season - their joint-worst tally in the competition's history - raising serious questions about Ten Hag's future.
With crucial matches against Arsenal, Newcastle, and Brighton remaining, plus an FA Cup final against Manchester City, Rooney's warning serves as a stark reminder of the scale of rebuilding required at Old Trafford.
As United face their lowest point in decades, Rooney's candid assessment underscores the painful reality that his former club has fallen far from the standards he helped establish during his glittering career at the Theatre of Dreams.
