Wayne Rooney has given his verdict on a “powerful” image he saw of Manchester United fans during the 3-0 loss against Manchester City.
Ruben Amorim suffered a crushing defeat at the Etihad as Erling Haaland’s second-half brace, following Phil Foden’s opening goal in the 18th minute, piled further misery on the Man United boss.
The Red Devils hardly appeared able to trouble their Manchester rivals, with the visitors’ only highlight of the game coming when Gianluigi Donnarumma thwarted Bryan Mbeumo with a sensational save.
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Man United only boast four points from their opening four fixtures of the 2025/26 campaign, and now Rooney has shared his verdict on Amorim based on what he saw on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, looks dejected after the team's defeat during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Wayne Rooney gives verdict on Man United fans leaving the Etihad
When speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the United legend was shocked by the “powerful” image of the away fans leaving the Etihad during the match, as he admitted he cannot see a way back for Amorim.
“It was me, Rio (Ferdinand), (Nemanja) Vidic, Michael Carrick, and then Maicon, Robert Pires, Gilberto Silva, Bastien Schweinsteiger, Ashley Cole. We all struggled to give how we see Man United playing, and if we actually sit down and watch Man United for a six game period, what are the patterns? What might improve the team moving forward? And every one of us struggled.
“And listen, we’ve all played the game at the highest level, all the players who I’ve just mentioned, then. I was speaking with Rio yesterday on this. We want to support the team, we want to support the manager, as best we can, but we also have to be honest, as well, because the fans are not fools, and we have to give our honest opinion on what we’re seeing.
“There was an image, towards the end of the game, where I was seeing the Man United fans leaving. I’ve never seen that. Well, in my time, I’ve never seen Man United fans leaving, and you could hear the fans singing Amorim’s name, but I think that is so powerful that the Man United fans were leaving the game because they knew the game was over, and I think they were very disappointed in what they’ve seen.
“So it’s… It’s hard to see how it continues.”
Ferdinand urged United fans to calm down following calls for the club to sack the manager after the 1-1 draw with Fulham, stating that the new-look side needs time to click at Old Trafford.
Indeed, the draw at Craven Cottage meant Amorim had fewer points than matches won in the Premier League and even had a worse win percentage ratio than Gary Neville during his infamous spell in Valencia.
However, the supporters are now clearly making their opinions known about the dire situation at United, particularly regarding their feelings about Amorim, who, of course, led the side to their worst-ever Premier League finish last season.
The fans did identify a positive takeaway from the defeat, as summer signing Benjamin Sesko impressed the supporters with his display at the Etihad, despite not scoring his first goal for United on the day. Amorim, on the other hand, is under immense pressure.
Manchester United lack passion under Ruben Amorim
Rooney agreed with Roy Keane that United lack passion against Man City and believes the side are showing no signs of progressing from last year’s disastrous campaign.
Admittedly, United are in a transitional period, but the argument can be made that this has been the case at the club for years now.
The summer signings, particularly Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo, have shown glimpses that they are the men to help steer United in the right direction and back where they belong, competing at the top end of the table.
However, the gap between Man United and the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Man City is astronomical, and soon Sir Jim Ratcliffe must consider whether Amorim is the right man to bridge the ever-widening gap to the Premier League elite.