Graeme Souness backed Wayne Rooney's sensational claims that some of Manchester United's injured stars could be playing if they wanted.

The Red Devils' record goalscorer gave a damning assessment of his former side after they had ten key men sidelined for their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Mason Mount became the latest United player to sustain an injury problem in midweek with Luke Shaw also suffering a setback.

Captain Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and Raphael Varane also all sat out the defeat at Old Trafford.

In the dectuple's absence, a misshapen United line-up faltered to a second defeat this week with Leandro Trossard's strike being the only goal in a game which saw Arsenal barely break sweat.

During his post-match analysis, former England captain Rooney said be believes some of the injured stars were fit enough to play.

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However, the 38-year-old claimed those players are holding themselves back to avoid being part of United's current form.

"As we look at the injuries they've picked up, some of those players can play. 100 per cent!"

He added: "It's easy you've got European Championships coming up, you've got FA [Cup] final coming up - because they're getting a little bit of stick now. It's easy for players to stay out of it a little bit and then come back towards the final and get themselves ready for the European Championships.

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