Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney insists Memphis Depay NOT to blame for Chelsea failure

Not to blame: Rooney has taken the heat off Depay

Memphis Depay should not be blamed for Chelsea's equaliser against Manchester United - says Red Devils skipper Wayne Rooney.

The Dutchman was criticised for a misplaced pass intended for Morgan Schneiderlin which led to the attack finished by Diego Costa, report the Manchester Evening News.

Depay, who celebrates his 22nd birthday this week, has not been named in a starting lineup since the Boxing Day defeat at Stoke where his error led to the first Potters goal.

The £25million signing has endured a difficult start to his United career, however Rooney has backed the former PSV Eindhoven forward to overcome his unconvincing first six months at the club.

“I think we're all disappointed,” Rooney said.

In pictures: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

“Memphis is a fantastic player and that happens, we all give bad passes away. A lot of things happened from when you give the ball away to when they've scored the goal, so I don't think we can stand here and blame Memphis.

“I think there were other things which happened and why they've scored.”

Jesse Lingard's 61st minute strike gave United a deserved lead at Stamford Bridge,however Rooney agreed The Reds invited pressure on themselves after the Warrington forward's opener.

“We did,” Rooney conceded.

“The game was broken up a bit, we gave too many free-kicks away and then we couldn't get a goal.United's exciting football was of little consolation for the 30-year-old, though.

“It's a disappointing result in the end,” Rooney added.

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Opener: Rooney celebrates Lingard's strike

“I thought it was a good performance, I thought we played some nice stuff, it feels like a defeat in the end.

“We've performed well and played some good stuff again but, overall, it's at this stage of the season that results matter and today we've dropped two points.

Rooney again lauded the sensational David de Gea, whose agile save late on prevented Costa from securing victory for Chelsea, having earlier thwarted Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas

“David again made some incredible saves,” Rooney beamed.

“I've said before he's probably the best goalkeeper in the world the last few seasons and again he's made some important saves today to keep it at 1-0, but unfortunately the goal at the end has got them a draw.”

Was Memphis Depay to blame for Chelsea's equaliser?

• YES
• NO