Tottenham Hotspur are in a relegation battle, says former England captain Wayne Rooney.

A 2-0 defeat by Manchester United stretched their winless Premier League run to seven games to leave Thomas Frank's side 15th in the table and only six points above the relegation zone.

Spurs finished 17th last season - leading to the dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou, even after winning the Europa League.

"You'd have to say they are [in a relegation battle] with their current form," said the ex-United striker on The Wayne Rooney Show.

"West Ham have been in form, Nottingham Forest pick up results here and there.

"You can't think that they're not in a relegation battle where they are. I think they'll definitely be looking over their shoulders."

Captain Cristian Romero was sent off in the first half at Old Trafford for a late lunge on Casemiro, his sixth dismissal in a Spurs shirt.

"I can see why it's been given but I think it's a little bit harsh," said Rooney.

"Sometimes you lose your head at times. And I think he's done that throughout his time at Tottenham."

It came days after Romero's social media post which seemed to criticise the people who run the club - when he said it was "disgraceful" they only had 11 fit players for a 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

"What doesn't help is comments in the week before about the lack of players Tottenham have," added Rooney.

"He clearly speaks his mind as well. But unfortunately, you've got to go and back that up with performances when you're vocal like that - and I don't think he's done that. All that's going to do is bring more pressure on Thomas Frank."

Rooney has sympathy for Frank, who managed Brentford for seven years before moving across London last summer to replace Postecoglou.

"I feel for Thomas Frank because he looks tired, he looks like he's aged 10 years," he said.

"That's what that Tottenham job has done to him in a short period of time. I hope they stick with him because he's fantastic manager, but I think it's going be very difficult for them to do that.

"And you don't need your captain going out getting sent off on a regular basis or being as vocal as he was this week."