Wayne Rooney is certain a new look Manchester United have what it takes to return to the success of the Sir Alex Ferguson years.
United have made an indifferent start under new manager Louis van Gaal and have been heavily criticised in the wake of an embarrassing 5-3 defeat away to Leicester City last weekend.
However captain Rooney has complete faith in Van Gaal and the rest of his United teammates.
“There seem to be a lot of people who have written us off because of Sunday’s result, but I don’t see it that way,” the striker said in a message posted on Facebook.
“When I look around our dressing room and see the quality we have and the manager’s unbelievable attention to detail I have no doubts this team will be successful.”
United have taken just five points from their opening five Premier League fixtures this season and currently sit 12th in the table.
After finishing seventh last season, much was expected following the arrival of the 63-year-old Van Gaal but United are yet to adapt to the Dutchman’s reign.
An influx of attacking talent has seen goals begin to flow for United but a threadbare defence has prevented them from taking advantage of their rivals’ slow starts.
Sunday was the first time in Premier League history that United lost having held a two-goal lead but Rooney has challenged his team to turn the corner.
“There are times when you don’t win things that you want to win but it’s how you react to it,” Rooney told MUTV.
“Last year wasn’t good enough. As players, we let ourselves and the club down. We have to bounce back from that. We have to come out of that bad time and make United successful again.
“That’s what we’ve always done well – we’ve reacted to the seasons where we haven’t been successful and went on to win the league or a cup after it.
“That’s what we have to do again now: move on from last season and try to make this season successful.”
The new captain will lead the side out against West Ham at Old Trafford this Saturday, one day before the tenth anniversary of his hat-trick on debut against Fenerbahce.
Main image courtesy of Nike Football via YouTube, with thanks.
