Manchester United, one of the most celebrated football clubs in the world, is currently facing a challenging period. The club's record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, has expressed his concerns about the current state of affairs at Old Trafford. In this article, we delve into Rooney's views on Manchester United and its manager Ruben Amorim.
Rooney recently voiced his disappointment with his former club on BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show. He stated that he believes "the soul has gone" from Manchester United and that he attends games "expecting" them to lose. This sentiment reflects a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the team’s performance. Rooney also expressed a lack of faith in current manager Ruben Amorim to turn things around for the Red Devils. Since taking charge 33 league games ago, Amorim has only managed to collect 34 points for the team - an average of just over one point per game.
The recent 3-1 defeat at Brentford marked another low point for Manchester United under Amorim’s leadership. Despite this damaging loss leaving them languishing at 14th place in the Premier League table, it is reported that club officials continue to support their head coach.
Players criticized
In addition to criticizing management decisions, Rooney also had strong words for some players who he feels "don't deserve to wear the shirt". He suggested that there are fundamental issues within the squad itself which need addressing - stating that it "needs a new engine".
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United legend, said:
"I am not seeing anything which is giving me any confidence, there needs to be big changes in my opinion. Manager, players, whatever that is. Whatever it takes to get Manchester United back. There needs to be a clear message from the owners,"
"Whether that is the Glazers, [minority owner] Sir Jim Ratcliffe, there has to be a message of where this club is going. At the minute we are all sitting there waiting for it to crumble. The culture of that football club has gone. I see it on a daily basis. I see staff losing jobs, people walking out of jobs.
"I've got two kids [in the academy] at that football club and I really hope this doesn't affect what they're doing. What I'm seeing at that football club is not Manchester United."
The frustration isn't limited only among former players like Rooney but extends among supporters as well who are reportedly “waiting for the club to crumble”. This level of discontentment among fans indicates how far expectations have fallen since their last back-to-back league victories in 2024.
Call for change
Rooney's comments reflect a broader sentiment that there needs to be a clear message from the club owners. Last season, United finished 15th in the Premier League - their worst finish since they were relegated from the old First Division in 1973-74.
Amorim, who had previously lifted the Portuguese title with Sporting in successive seasons, took charge of United last November. However, his tenure has been marked by an eight-game winless streak away from home (two draws and six losses), their longest run since 2019.
The current state of Manchester United is undoubtedly concerning for fans and former players alike. The club's struggles under manager Ruben Amorim have led to calls for change at various levels within the organization. As Rooney suggests, it may take more than just managerial changes to restore Manchester United to its former glory - it might require a complete overhaul of both squad and strategy.
