Wayne Rooney accuses Man United flops of not wanting to play and claims some of their injured stars ARE fit enough to feature as he lets rip at Erik ten Hag's struggling squad

Wayne Rooney has accused Manchester United's stars of hiding behind their injuries to avoid criticism and leave manager Erik ten Hag facing the flak.

Ten Hag's injury-hit side limped to another defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday as Leandro Trossard's goal kept Arsenal's title hopes alive.

But Rooney alleged that some of the United players currently out of action are merely ducking out of the firing line.

'Some of those players can play, 100 per cent,' said United's record goal scorer. 'Because they're getting a little bit of stick, it's easy for players to stay out and come back towards the FA Cup final and get themselves right for the European Championships.

'I've seen it for myself over the years. The players who have been injured are not filling themselves with any credit at the minute and the manager is taking all the stick for it.

'I think the players have to really look at themselves, because when you've got your manager doing an interview and he's talking about attitude, and players' attitude not being right to play for Manchester United, that is a massive insult. 

'If I see my manager saying that, then there's no way I just let that ride until the end of the season. And it looks like some players are just trying to get to the end of the season.'

Speaking on Sky Sports, Roy Keane echoed Rooney's thoughts, saying: 'Obviously, that's not a good sign. There's always a few players at every club I think that can drag their heels with an injury.

'There's lots of players out there at certain stages of the season when they have an injury or a lack of confidence and they're out of it, they're not in a hurry to get back in the team.'

Ten Hag believes that support from the fans shows that they appreciate the problems United are having. 'They understand where we are and where this club is,' said the United boss. 'I think that is why they are with us. We are united and hopefully we can pay them back in the future.'

Victory meant that Arsenal will be in the title race on the final day of the season regardless of Manchester City's result at Tottenham on Tuesday night.

Manager Mikel Arteta said: 'Today we wanted to knock on that door and open that box of dreams and play in front of our people with an opportunity to win the Premier League on the final day.

'Some of the players have not been in this position, they don't know what is at stake and how you feel emotionally to have to win and win and win from December or January. It is a phenomenal thing they are doing.'

Kai Havertz, who set up the only goal for Trossard in the 20th minute, now hopes Arsenal's rivals Spurs can take points off City to open the door for the Gunners to lift the title at home to Everton on Sunday.

'I am going to be the biggest fan of Tottenham ever!' said Havertz. 'Let's hope for the best. We have one game and we need the whole club behind us – anything is possible.'