Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has delivered a damning assessment of his former club. Rooney claimed that the Red Devils have regressed under current manager Ruben Amorim. United slumped to a dismal 3-0 defeat in the Manchester derby at the Etihad on Sunday, prompting many traveling fans to leave early in frustration.
Amorim was appointed in November last year following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal and has since overseen a squad rebuild, backed by £250m of new signings. Yet the problems that plagued United last season still persist. They finished 15th in 2024-25 with just 42 points, their worst return in decades. This season, they have collected only four points from their first four games, their poorest start since 1992-93.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show (BBC Sounds), Manchester United’s record goalscorer admitted he is struggling to see any signs of progress nearly a year into Amorim’s reign. Rooney said, “I want to be as supportive and positive as I can be on the manager and the players, but it’s very difficult to sit here and say we’re seeing progression,” he said. “We’re seeing none of that.”
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Since Amorim’s appointment, United have earned just 31 points from 31 Premier League games – relegation form by Rooney’s reckoning. Rooney further went on to criticise Amorim’s insistence on fielding only two central midfielders, leaving the team repeatedly overrun. Rooney said,
“The players haven’t got the legs to cover the width of the pitch. They’re getting overpowered in midfield. If you’re struggling, you have to put three in there and give yourself a chance to compete.”
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United’s struggles have been compounded by a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two Grimsby. While Amorim insists his project will take time, pressure is mounting. Rooney said,
“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.”
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