Reds players to blame

MANCHESTER United captain Wayne Rooney has stressed the players – not manager Louis van Gaal – must take the blame for the team’s poor season.

United suffered a shock 2–1 defeat at Sunderland on Saturday and ended the weekend 10 points adrift of third–placed Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League.

Rooney reckons the squad has “got off quite lightly”, with Van Gaal taking “a lot of stick” for their below–par performances.

“It’s a very good group of players,” said the England skipper. “At times it’s been frustrating for us, as we’ve under–performed. It’s down to us – the players have to perform.”

:: United have named former midfielder Nicky Butt as their new head of academy.