Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has strongly reacted to comments made by club legend Wayne Rooney, who criticized his ambition of making the club a contender for the Premier League title, labeling his vision as “naive.” Rooney, who now works as a pundit for the BBC, expressed doubts over Amorim’s plan, given the current struggles of the team under the Portuguese manager’s guidance. However, Amorim did not take kindly to these remarks and chose to defend his long-term vision for the club, insisting that he is fully committed to bringing Manchester United back to the top of English football.
Speaking after United’s disappointing exit from the FA Cup following a penalty shootout loss to Fulham, Amorim reaffirmed his belief that it was possible to make the club title contenders once again, despite the current setbacks. He responded to Rooney’s criticism, stating: "Being naive is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender next season." Amorim added that he was fully aware of how easy it was to criticize from the outside, especially given that many pundits, like Rooney, are removed from the day-to-day challenges of managing a team. "I know that in this moment everybody knows everything. I know that and it’s really easy—I was a pundit when I finished my career. I know it’s really easy," he remarked. Amorim’s tone was firm, making it clear that he would not let outside opinions derail his commitment to United's future.
Rooney’s comments came as part of his role as a BBC pundit, where he questioned the realism of Amorim’s ambitions in light of United’s struggles, which were further highlighted in their FA Cup defeat to Fulham. The 1-1 draw at Old Trafford led to a penalty shootout, where United’s hopes were dashed after crucial misses from Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee. Goalkeeper Bernd Leno played a pivotal role in Fulham’s victory, saving both penalties and securing their spot in the next round of the competition.
Despite the disappointment, Amorim remained resolute, defending his stance on Manchester United’s long-term goals. He emphasized that the club’s ultimate ambition is to win the Premier League, stating, “Our goal is to win the Premier League. Maybe it is not with me. But our goal, as a club, the board, is to win the Premier League like we did in the past with all the great glories and legends of this club.” This statement underlines Amorim’s unwavering belief that United’s rich history and legacy will eventually be restored, even if it takes time to return to the top of English football.
Now, with their domestic cup hopes extinguished for the season, United faces a crucial test in the Europa League. Their path forward hinges on securing success in Europe, starting with their last-16 first leg against Real Sociedad in Spain this Thursday. Amorim will be hoping that a deep run in the Europa League can salvage some success from an otherwise disappointing campaign and prove to his critics, including Rooney, that his ambitions for the club are anything but naive.