Graeme Souness backs Wayne Rooney's claim that Man Utd players are faking injuries
Graeme Souness has agreed with Wayne Rooney's claim that Manchester United players were feigning injuries after their defeat to Arsenal.
Leandro Trossard's first-half goal was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Mikel Arteta's side at Old Trafford on Sunday. While Erik ten Hag's side's performance was nowhere near as bad as their 4-0 away loss to Crystal Palace, United fans were still underwhelmed by their display against the Premier League leaders.
Appearing as a guest pundit for Sky Sports' coverage of the game, Rooney hit out at the current United stars, accusing many of feigning injuries to get to the end of the season. The ex-Birmingham City and Derby County boss doubled down on his claims, saying many players on United's injury list "can play, 100%".
As Rooney's comments split the football world down the middle, Souness agreed with the former England captain.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, the Liverpool legend said: “He’s heard the same, I’m sure his information will be better than mine because he’ll know people that are in that dressing room.
"I have heard this, there are players who are capable of playing and their injuries aren’t as serious as they would have you believe. And that’s a shocking indictment, imagine that. I wouldn’t get out of bed if someone accused me of that.
“Manchester United are a special football club and there’s people choosing when they play for them. They’re not all in it together, they’re not all rowing in the same direction, they’re not all up for a fight. And that’s why you’re getting the performances you’re getting and it’s so embarrassing.”
Graeme Souness speaks on Simon & Souness
When asked by radio host Jim White for his source, Souness added: “I won’t go down that road Jim, you’re wasting your breath. I'd be giving away a confidence I’ve got. I can’t give the confidence away but what this chap said to me would be 100% right.”
Coming into the game against Arsenal, Ten Hag was without Rapael Varane, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Marcus Rashford.
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Erik ten Hag the head coach / manager of Manchester United walks off at full time during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on May 12, 2024 in Manchester, England
Ten Hag has frequently decried his sides injury issues this season, particularly in the defensive areas. He claims to have deployed more than 32 different backlines across the whole season.
Questioned after United's defeat to Arsenal whether some of the club's players had stopped playing for the manager, Rooney said: “If they are then they’re not showing it very well. There’s some very good players in that squad and their performances are way below par.
"As we look at the injuries they've picked up, some of those players can play. 100 per cent!" The defeat to Arsenal means United are now residing in eighth position, three points adrift from Chelsea and Newcastle, who are fifth and sixth in the table.
Before their FA Cup Final against Manchester City on May 25, United host Newcastle and travel to Brighton and Hove Albion in their final two matches of the league season.
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