Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes "something's broken" at Old Trafford following their humiliating League Cup exit to Grimsby. Ruben Amorim's damning assessment of his squad after the penalty shootout heartbreak has left the ex-England captain feeling extremely concerned for his former club.
The Red Devils crashed out of the competition's second round on Wednesday following a humiliating 12-11 defeat on spot kicks. United fought back from two goals down to force extra time and penalties, but they endured fresh agony as their stuttering start to the season went from bad to worse. Afterwards Amorim said: "My players spoke for me, really loud," leaving many to suggest that the team's performance reflected their true commitment levels towards the 40-year-old.
Following a record-breaking 15th-place Premier League finish last season and a flurry of fresh arrivals, expectations were higher for United this campaign. However, an opening day home defeat to Arsenal, coupled with a frustrating stalemate at Fulham and their collapse at Grimsby, suggests further misery awaits.
"That's the biggest concern," Rooney said on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, as he discussed Amorim's post-match comments.
"His words were damning on the players. If your manager comes out with those words, there's something broken."
Many United supporters would concur with that sentiment, as they have seen plenty of damaged teams over the years at Old Trafford. The period following Sir Alex Ferguson's departure has been riddled with letdowns, and there's no obvious sign of imminent improvement.
Erik ten Hag, Amorim's predecessor, was at the helm when the club triumphed in the FA Cup last year, having secured the League Cup the previous season. But just when it seemed United couldn't sink lower than a then-record-low eighth-place finish under the Dutchman, Amorim's reign saw them tumble further down the table.
Speculation is now rife that Amorim could face the sack less than a year into his stint at Old Trafford. Rooney's remarks hint at the possibility that the manager himself may be losing confidence in what can be achieved with the current squad.
Rooney added: "What we forget is he's only 40. He's a young manager," before continuing: "Manchester United is so different to where he's been before. You come in and there's the media team, the commercial team, the fans and the media.
"There's a pressure with United, which he will never have felt before. When you're not winning games, that can start to get [to you], and it looked like he was at a breaking point."
One recurring criticism of United's players in the post-Ferguson era is a perceived lack of leadership, despite Amorim's best efforts to address this issue. Throughout his 27-year tenure at Old Trafford, the legendary Scottish manager deliberately sought out and signed players with a particular resilience.
The lack of similar characters to those under Ferguson's reign may be the key difference between his successful era and the subsequent 12 years. This deficiency could potentially trigger another managerial change, given Rooney's concerns about Amorim's attitude.