Wayne Rooney says Manchester United no longer feels like the club he once played for and admits he doesn’t believe current manager Ruben Amorim can turn things around.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show on the BBC, United’s all-time top scorer said the club is “broken” and that he now goes to games expecting them to lose.
United’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford on Saturday means they’ve only collected 34 points from 33 league games under Amorim, and they still haven’t won two league matches in a row this season.
Despite sitting 14th in the Premier League, reports say the club’s owners still support Amorim.
But Rooney didn’t hold back in his comments. He said some of the current players “don’t deserve to wear the shirt”, the team “needs a new engine”, and fans are “just waiting for the club to fall apart”.
“I don’t see anything that gives me confidence. There need to be big changes,” said Rooney.
“Manager, players – whatever it is. Do whatever it takes to bring Manchester United back.”
“Clear Message Needed from the Owners”
Last season, United finished 15th, their worst top-flight finish since they were relegated in 1974.
Amorim took over last November after winning back-to-back titles in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon.
Since then, United have gone eight away league games without a win (six losses, two draws) — their worst away run since 2019. They haven’t won back-to-back Premier League games since between May and August 2024.
Rooney called on the owners – the Glazer family and new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe – to make things clear:
“There needs to be a clear message from the owners. At the moment, we’re all just sitting and waiting for the club to collapse.”
“The culture of the club has gone. I see staff losing their jobs, walking away. That’s not Manchester United.”
Rooney, who has two sons in the club’s academy, added:
“I really hope what’s going on doesn’t affect the academy kids. But right now, what I’m seeing – it’s not Man United.”
“Everything Needs Fixing” – Rooney and Pundits Critical of Amorim
After the Brentford loss, Amorim said he’s not worried about losing his job, telling reporters:
“I’m not that kind of guy.”
But he has been heavily criticised for sticking to his 3-4-2-1 formation, even when it’s not working.