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Wayne Rooney reveals Plymouth have 'stepped up the training' in battle to save his job with pressure mounting on Man Utd legend

Championship

Plymouth

Burnley

<p>It's been a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wayne-rooney-speaks-out-after-seeing-plymouth-beaten-yet-again-deepen-relegation-fears/blt19b43034a2e94c9a" target="_blank">hugely disappointing season</a> for Rooney on his return to management with Plymouth. The Home Park outfit are 23rd in the Championship, having lost each of their past four games - a run in which they've conceded 14 goals.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Rooney is not only fighting to keep Plymouth up but also to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wayne-rooney-risked-managerial-career-shock-move-plymouth-family-redemption-man-utd-dream/blt245296ae8a66bb34" target="_blank">save his reputation</a> as a manager, having <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wayne-rooney-sacked-tom-brady-birmingham-wield-axe-man-utd-legend-sorry-reign-ended-15-games/blt03d7f3428428dff9" target="_blank">failed in his previous stint</a> with Birmingham. The Pilgrims face a hectic festive period, with four games in 12 days, but he believes now is the time to up the intensity of training in a bid to improve Plymouth's fortunes and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sack-support-plymouth-actual-stance-wayne-rooney-revealed-pilgrims-owner-explains-championship-strugglers-intend-do-man-utd-legend/bltd240efdef86c8a1b" target="_blank">potentially save his job</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"We've actually stepped the training up to train harder," the Manchester United legend told <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvg741vdmkyo" target="_blank">BBC Radio Devon</a>. "I feel it's really important from now until mid-January that we step the training up because that gives your body a resilience to try and prevent injuries.</p><p>"We're trying different things to make sure we get the players in the right condition to get through the next three weeks." </p>

WHAT ROONEY SAID

<p>"I spoke to the players and I feel it's something we need to step up," Rooney added. "Yesterday we trained a lot harder then we normally would on that day because this time next week we'll be playing a game.</p><p>"We have to get our players' bodies into a shape and routine that they're ready for that hit every three or four days going up towards mid-January really, to give them that almost mini pre-season to get them through to the end of the season."</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Rooney will go head-to-head with former United team-mate Michael Carrick on Saturday when Middlesbrough make the long journey to Home Park.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR PLYMOUTH?

Wayne Rooney reveals Plymouth have 'stepped up the training' in battle to save his job with pressure mounting on Man Utd legend | Goal.com

Wayne Rooney has got his Plymouth players training harder after a run of one win in 11 that leaves the Pilgrims fighting Championship relegation.