Wayne Rooney points to part of Manchester United's 'identity' that Erik ten Hag's side are missing

Wayne Rooney believes the current Manchester United team is missing “a good core of British players”.

Embattled coach Erik ten Hag ensured United's worst start to a Premier League season after seven games and winning just eight points.

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In fact, the Dutchman broke his own unwanted record of nine points from last season.

However, a 0-0 draw Aston Villa on Sunday, Ten Hag appears to have granted a stay of execution.

The dismal performances of recent years are a far cry from the days when Rooney was at the club under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Under Ferguson's reign, United never finished lower than third in the Premier League era.

But the Red Devils have not won the league since his resignation in 2013.

As an outside observer, Rooney admitted that it was “difficult” to work out what the club was missing and that the constant changes and changes of managers had not helped.

However, there is a key element from United's decades of success under Ferguson that Rooney says is missing and would be a huge help to the under-fire Ten Hag.

“I think for anyone who wants Manchester United to do well, it was frustrating,” Rooney said Andy Goldstein And Darren Bent on talkSPORT Drive.

“Manchester United are 14th in the Premier League, that's not where they want to be. I think what United have done in the last few years, they've changed coaches and tried to play with a new coach and try to rebuild, but whatever they brought with them, it didn't quite work.

“Erik ten Hag, he is an experienced manager, I know he is trying very hard to do it right.”

“I think the culture of the football club is… we've seen a lot of players coming in, a lot of foreign players. I think Manchester United's identity has always been a good core of British players and I think that's perhaps the case. There's a bit missing, so players who can control the dressing room and help the manager when they're having a difficult time go through.

“If you will, I think this is a big change from what I've seen in the last few years, but we're hoping Ten Hag can turn it around and make it challenging again.”

United's starting lineup against Aston Villa featured four players from Great Britain: Johnny Evans, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire And Kobbie Mainoo.

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Other senior British players in United's squad include: Mason Mount, Luke Shaw And Tom Heaton.

However, with Shaw and Mount struggling with their own injury problems and Heaton being the third-choice goalkeeper, it is unlikely that they will have the desired impact on the team.

It's a stark contrast to when Rooney was a star at the club Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick And Paul Scholesto name just four, were not only brilliant players but also great characters in the dressing room and trusted lieutenants of Ferguson.

Despite the team's struggles in the league, Ten Hag won a Carabao Cup and an FA Cup in his two seasons as manager, a fact he likes to remind critics.

However, the Red Devils are trending downwards in the league and have moved from fourth to eighth place, with United recording their worst-ever result in the Premier League last season.

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Although winning cups is “great”, Rooney insisted the league must remain a priority.

“I think your season is the Premier League,” Rooney said.

“That's what we've always paid attention to. Then you had it.” the FA Cup, the Champions League, the League Cup.

“But there is no better feeling than winning the Premier League. This is what you work for all season. You can win trophies, which is great. It’s a great feeling, great for the fans.”

“But as a fan you want United to always be challenging.”

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Rooney pointed to it too LiverpoolThe long league title drought, which lasted a whopping 30 years, is a reason for caution when it comes to the club's expectations.

“I think United haven’t done that (winning the league) for a few years,” Rooney said.

“That’s why it’s important not to let this continue and to be happy with winning the League Cup or FA Cup at the end.”

“Manchester United is bigger than that, it’s a huge football club and I think it has to present a challenge every year.”

How far does Rooney think United can challenge for the Premier League title again?

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“It’s a long way off at the moment,” Rooney said.

However, the sweeping changes made at United over the summer have given the club's all-time leading goalscorer optimism.

“I think getting the new owners, Jim Ratcliffe and (sporting director) involved Dan Ashworth“I think they have a good group of guys there,” Rooney said.

“I think slowly but surely changes are coming to the football club. I was there last week and saw the changes on the training ground.”

“You know, you see little changes that ultimately help the football club and you hope they get it right and I think the recruitment is huge and they've brought in some good people to help with that.”