Redknapp: United Players Must Step Up

Manchester United players need to start performing for manager Louis Van Gaal and a fit Wayne Rooney might not be the solution to the side's poor run of form, Jamie Redknapp said.

United were beaten 2-1 away at Bournemouth after goals from Junior Stanislas and Joshua King cancelled out a Marouane Fellaini strike at the Vitality Stadium.

Van Gaal's side blew their chance to go top of the Premier League and are now on a five-match winless streak in all-competitions.

But while the Dutchman has been criticised for United's poor run of results, Sky Sports pundit Redknapp believes it is time his players stood up to be counted.

"I have an element of sympathy for them today," Redknapp said on Saturday Night Football. "To be fair to him [Van Gaal] they are full of injuries to people like Rooney.

"But even when Wayne Rooney comes back he's got to do a lot more. He's got to get back to the level where he was a year, two years ago. And I think there are a number of players who have been hiding behind the criticisms that Louis Van Gaal has been getting."

United have scored just 21 league goals this season and Redknapp said upcoming fixtures against Norwich and Stoke might be an opportunity to get their season back on track.

"They've only won three out of 12 in all competitions and that's not good enough for Manchester United. There are too many games when they are not scoring or winning games, such as against West Ham last week.

"They've got a couple of fixtures coming up now that they should be looking to get some points on the board with because I'm not sure who wants to win this title this year, I'm really not."

In the Sky Sports studio alongside Redknapp was Chelsea captain John Terry, who backed United to bounce back from the defeat.

"You look at their their squad they've got a great group of players and a lot of injuries as well at the moment," Terry said.

"Give them time. I'd certainly take their league position at the moment. They'll be OK."

Credit: Skysports.com