WAYNE ROONEY claims that Manchester United’s academy “didn’t exist” under Jose Mourinho.
The former Red Devils striker served as club captain during Mourinho‘s first season in charge at Old Trafford.
Rooney, 36, had become used to a great link between the United academy and first-team during Sir Alex Ferguson‘s time at the helm.
But that eroded under Mourinho’s stewardship.
Appearing on Monday Night Football, Wazza said: “The distance between the academy and the first team and the manager, especially under Mourinho, was huge.
“It was almost as if they didn’t exist, if you like.
“Having the relationship they had with Sir Alex for 26 years and then not being allowed anywhere near the first team…
“It’s almost like there was a divorce between the first team and the academy.”
Ferguson, 80, famously brought through United’s golden Class of 92 – featuring the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.
While even Louis van Gaal handed out 15 debuts to academy kids during his two seasons in charge – including to the likes of Marcus Rashford.
Mourinho, meanwhile, blooded just six in two-and-a-half years – with only Scott McTominay playing significant minutes.
The Portuguese, 59, was sacked in December 2018 after the atmosphere surrounding the club became too toxic for United chiefs to tolerate – with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tasked with bringing back a feel-good factor.
During his appearance on Sky, Derby boss Rooney offered up a number of opinions regarding Man United.
He urged his old side to pick Mauricio Pochettino over Erik ten Hag as their next boss and to give the Argentine time.
While he also admitted that they should move on from his former team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba.
Rooney urged “world class” current Red Devils skipper Harry Maguire to rediscover his best form – while admitting that United are not good enough to finish in the top four.
