Rooney warns Man United are ‘too nice’, says squad lacks ‘nasty streak’ and dark-arts needed to scare opponents

Wayne Rooney has said Manchester United lack players with a 'nasty streak' and believes his former side are 'too nice'.

Manchester United take on Fulham in the Premier League this afternoon, aiming to bounce back from a poor run of results.

Michael Carrick's side have suffered successive defeats to Manchester City and Brighton in the league and cup, producing two meek performances.

United lost the Manchester Derby despite Phil Foden 's first-half red card for Man City, and Rooney said the differing profiles in the opposition sides were on show.

He praised the tenacity of City's summer signings in that game and believes United lack players who are willing to rile up opposition teams.

He added that his former side are 'too nice' and said opposition sides will have no fear of facing Carrick's side.

After meek defeats, Rooney says Man United need gritty, nasty characters to rattle opponents and fans

"[Man City] Bring [Iliman] Ndiaye in. Quality player, works hard. They bring Elliot Anderson in. Really good quality on the ball, but tenacious, puts his foot in," Rooney told The United Stand.

"He's a player that connects with fans. When you look at players you bring in, he's Geordie, passionate, wants to play every week. You can see that desire and that fight in him.

" Enzo Fernandez , South American, knows the little dark arts of the game. Plays in big games, real good character. I bet you he's a good teammate, and as an opposition someone that you hate.

"That profile of player is what we [Manchester United] miss. We miss players that will wind the opposition up, they will frustrate the opposition. They have got that nasty streak in them. That's what we miss. We're too nice as a team. I think opposition will come and think, I don't mind playing against them."