Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney says Ruben Amorim has run out of excuses at Old Trafford, just two games into the new season.
United drew at Fulham in an underwhelming performance to follow their positive showing in last week’s defeat to Arsenal. It leaves Amorim with a sorry record of just four wins against current Premier League sides in 28 matches, with a win percentage of just 14.5.
Amorim did not want to take over United in the middle of last season, and struggled to turn their fortunes around despite leading them to the Europa League final.
Manager Ruben Amorim of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
He has spent big this summer on new forwards, but United appear to be suffering from the same avoidable issues as last season when they finished 15th – and Rooney’s response when asked if Amorim was the right man for the job was telling.
Wayne Rooney refuses to back Ruben Amorim as the right manager for Manchester United
Speaking on his BBC Sport podcast, Rooney said: “There’s no excuses now for the manager this season. He’s got to start getting results and getting the results quickly because once you start getting into October, November, if the results don’t change drastically then that’s when the pressure comes.”
Asked if Amorim’s poor record gave him any faith that the Portuguese was the right manager for United, Rooney replied: “It’s difficult and to sit here and say ‘obviously, 100 per cent’ [he is the right man], I don’t think anyone can do that.
“I don’t think Ruben Amorim would probably say that himself with what we’ve seen since he’s been at the club.
But I think the recruitment has been good in the summer. I still want to see two or three more players. But it’s difficult to say ‘this is going to be our manager for the next five years’ on what we’ve seen.”
Wayne Rooney raises concern he has seen in Manchester United’s first two Premier League fixtures
United have picked up this season where they left off last season, with slow performances and few ideas going forwards. Bruno Fernandes missed a controversial penalty at Fulham and they were made to pay when Emile Smith Rowe snuck in past a static defence to secure a draw.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United with Referee Chris Kavanagh before taking a penalty during the Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Last week, United were praised for a positive approach against Arsenal, but couldn’t answer the Gunners’ only goal of the game which came from a corner. And Rooney said the recurring problems should already be a concern for United.
“We might be going to quick on this because Manchester United brings a lot more attention, it’s only two games into the season,” he said. “But the worrying sign is that we’re seeing things that we saw last season and that’s a concern.”
United take on Grimsby Town in the FA Cup this week before hosting Burnley and then taking on rivals Manchester City after the international break.