Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has lauded Reds manager Erik ten Hag for stamping his authority on the team following his arrival at Old Trafford in the summer.
Rooney - the club's all-time record goalscorer - praised the Dutchman for how he has dealt with Cristiano Ronaldo this term, particularly after the Portuguese star refused to come on as a substitute in United's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last month. The 37-year-old was dropped from the squad for one match as a result, and was made to train alone for a period of time.
Ten Hag has made a solid start to his reign as Reds manager, with United currently fifth in the Premier League table and through to the knockout stages of the Europa League, albeit in a play-off tie against Barcelona.
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Speaking on talkSPORT on Friday morning, Rooney praised Ten Hag for bringing an identity back to the club, suggesting that he is starting to see something that he hasn't been able to for a while.
"I think [Erik] Ten Hag has done really well, I think he's come in and stamped his authority on the team. I think for the first time in two or three years, I'm starting to see an identity with Manchester United which I haven't seen for the last two or three years," Rooney said.
"He showed his strength and character in how he dealt with Cristiano [Ronaldo] at times with some of the stuff he's been up to, so I really think he's the right man for the job, I think it will take time, but a real step in the right direction will be to finish inside the top four and get Champions League football again."
Rooney also claimed that his former teammate Ronaldo needed to work hard in order to force his way into the starting line-up, insisting that if the forward does that, he can prove to be an important player this term.
He added: "The career he's had, there's him and [Lionel] Messi as arguably the two best players of all time and you can go either way with that, but I just think the things he's done from the start of the season really, it's not acceptable for Manchester United really.
"I see, obviously, Roy Keane defend him, but Roy wouldn't have said that. It's a distraction that Manchester United don't need at the minute [as they] try to rebuild, Cristiano should just get his head down and work and be ready to play when the manager needs him.
"If he does that, he'll be an asset, if he doesn't, it will become an unwanted distraction."
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