Wayne Rooney was brutally honest about Manchester United current struggles under Ruben Amorim as the club's all-time top goalscorer made clear his fears about the under-fire manager
13:51, 15 Sep 2025
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney was brutally honest about Ruben Amorim
Wayne Rooney insists Manchester United have got worse since Ruben Amorim became manager.
And the United legend admits his old club are so bad to watch, it leaves him speechless. United have been left licking there wounds again following a crushing derby defeat at Manchester City. To make matters worse, the fallen giants also crashed out of the League Cup to minnows Grimsby Town.
United have won one game this season and find themselves 14th in the table - one point above the drop zone. And Rooney has pulled no punches, with an outspoken attack on United that will pile more pressure on under-fire boss Amorim.
The former England and United captain said on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport: "I don’t think anyone can understand and comprehend what is going on.
"The optimism after the Arsenal game, which we ultimately lost. Then to how low it felt after Grimsby, you get the win against Burnley, which United at home should be winning anyway.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim cut a dejected figure against Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
"City are a good team, so at the Etihad you can lose that game, but I am watching it, and I didn’t see a tackle. Even when it goes to 2-0 and 3-0, I didn’t see someone say, ‘I’m not having this and take a yellow card putting a tackle in’.
"I want to be as supportive and positive as I can be on the manager and the players, but it is very difficult to sit here and say we are seeing progression. It is hard to see how it continues. What are the patterns? What are we seeing what might improve the team moving forward?
"We have to be honest, as the fans are not fools. We have to give our honest opinion on what we’re seeing and that puts us in uncomfortable positions at times. Frankly, it is not good enough.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim endured another nightmare day(Image: PA)
"Unfortunately for United and the manager, it has been not too far off a year now and it is less than one point a game. Quite a lot of league seasons that is relegation form. It is hard and very difficult at the moment.
"It is tough to watch and to see. I will try to defend it to a certain point, but I am struggling to find the words to do that at the minute.
"Listen, I have had my time as a manager, and I know how it works, and I know how it is when someone else looks and critiques your formation. I can understand that, but it is so obvious.
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"I hope it works massively for Amorim. From everything I hear, he is a good person and a good fella, but we need to start seeing that. The United fans are loyal as you are ever going to get. They’re singing his name, but you just don’t want to see that turn.
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"But 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. I think if the manager is honest with himself, it has got worse."