Confidence at Manchester United low, says Rooney

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney admits confidence in the camp is low after a nightmare month.

Louis van Gaal’s men have not tasted success since a 2-1 win at Watford on November 21st took them to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

A 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg ended United’s Champions League hopes and they sit nine points adrift of leaders Leicester in fifth place having failed to win any of their last four league games.

United travel to Stoke on Stephens’ Day before back-to-back home games against Chelsea and Swansea.

“We haven’t won games in the last few weeks so it’s normal confidence will be a bit lower,” Rooney told Sky Sports News HQ.

“We need to try to get it back because we’ve got some tough games coming up and need to be at our best to win them.”

He added: “As a group of players we know we can do better and we’re all working together to try to come up with the best solution to help us win football matches.

“It’s not nice when you’re getting criticised every game. It’s tough for the players to deal with. We get hurt because we’re proud people and proud to play for Manchester United. When it’s not going right it’s hard to take and frustrating.”

Van Gaal has found himself under increasing pressure and stunned reporters at Carrington on Wednesday when he walked out of his weekly press conference after taking just three questions.

In a five-minute rant, the Dutchman accused the media of trying to undermine him in his position as United manager.

Rooney has sympathy for his manager and insisted the United players are working hard to ease the pressure on Van Gaal.

“We all have families and sometimes there’s a lot of stuff that gets written which is not nice for your family to see,” Rooney said.

“It’s okay for me to deal with but there’s people in my family who aren’t used to it and it’s tough for them.

“Obviously you have a lot of people talking about things they believe are happening but in reality a lot of people who are writing that stuff don’t know what’s happening.

“We’re working hard and fighting for the manger to try to get results and turn the season around. It’s important we all stick together.”