A former Manchester United captain and record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, has claimed the team has “got worse” under current manager Ruben Amorim.
Rooney voiced his concerns following United’s latest setback, a 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City, describing the performance as further proof that the club is failing to move forward.
Amorim was appointed on November 1 last year to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked after a disappointing season.
However, nearly a year into his tenure, the Portuguese coach is showing few signs of turning the club’s fortunes around.
But more than 10 months later, the Portuguese head coach appears to be showing few signs of being able to revive the team’s fortunes.
According to BBC Sports on Monday, his side delivered another dismal display in a 3-0 derby defeat at Manchester City on Sunday, with many supporters in the away end leaving long before the final whistle.
“I want to be as supportive and positive as I can be of the manager and the players,” said the former England striker on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, which you can now listen to on BBC Sounds.
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“But it is tough to sit here and say we are seeing progression, and at least we’re seeing things that will get results soon.
“We’re seeing none of that, and it is very difficult. There was an image towards the end of the game where I saw the Manchester United fans leaving.
“You could hear the fans singing Amorim’s name, but I think that is so powerful that the United fans were leaving the game.
“You know the game is over and I think they were very disappointed in what they were seeing.
“It’s hard to see how it continues,” said Rooney. “I don’t think anyone can understand and comprehend what’s going on. Frankly, it’s not good enough. I want to be as supportive and positive as I can be on the manager and the players
“What are the patterns? What are we seeing that might improve the team moving forward?”,” he said.
United finished 15th in the league last term with 42 points, their lowest position since 1989–90. They earned their fewest points in a top-flight season since they were last relegated in 1973–74.
Since Amorim’s arrival, they have spent about £250m on new signings, while shipping out most of their so-called ‘bomb squad’.
This has allowed the 40-year-old coach to revamp his side into a 3-4-3 system that he has vowed not to deviate from after enjoying success with Sporting.
However, many of last season’s problems already appear to be resurfacing.
“I think after the last year when Ten Hag got sacked and Ruben came in, we’re hearing how they’re going to play and it is going to change,” said Rooney, who scored 253 goals for United between 2004 and 2017.
“I think if the manager is honest with himself, it has got worse,” Rooney added.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, former England manager Gareth Southgate and USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino are among the candidates to succeed Amorim, should he go.