Wayne Rooney has warned Plymouth Argyle players that they are playing for their futures following their 4-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in their opening game of the season.
Rooney, who was sacked by Birmingham City after 15 games last season, previously managed DC United and Derby County.
“I told them after the game that if I saw that kind of performance from any player again – whether he’s been at the club for a long time or just joined as a new player – he won’t play,” Rooney told the BBC.
“In my opinion, you can lose football games, it happens, but you have to master the basics and make sure you run and tackle and get the ball, and that wasn’t the case.”
“The players know, they understand that they have to be there for every game.”
Rooney has already signed six players this summer but is open to more new faces before the end of the transfer window.
“It’s the first game of the season and of course we’re disappointed,” said Rooney. “But I don’t think it’s time to panic. I’ve seen what we did in preseason and that gives me courage.”
“If players become available who we believe can strengthen the team, we will of course look at that. But I don’t think we can start panic buying after one game.”
