Wayne Rooney has thrown his support behind his embattled former manager Jose Mourinho, telling those Manchester United team-mates he once played alongside that they have under-performed in recent weeks and must take their share of the responsibility.

Rooney was speaking after leading his new Major League Soccer side DC United to the ninth victory in 15 games with their new captain who scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire on Sunday. The 32-year-old made his remarks as Mourinho waited for a public show of faith from the United board in their manager who woke on Saturday to reports that he would be sacked over the weekend.

Mourinho’s Manchester United team went on to beat Newcastle United 3-2, having come back from two goals behind and Rooney said that the recent run of poor results had reminded him of the difficult times during Louis van Gaal’s two-year reign at the club.

“It’s tough [at United], it has been a tough situation,” Rooney said. “The players, the manager, it has been a tough start to the season. I know Jose is getting a load of stick but I said a few weeks ago, the players have to stand up. They have to be counted and they have to be better. The manager can do so much but then it is down to the players on the pitch to produce and probably collectively. It [the poor run of form] is a bit of everything coming together but Jose is an easy target. Some of the players have to be better.