‘The Spirit Has Departed’ – Rooney Lacks Confidence in Amorim

Rooney’s Take on the Current State of Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has expressed his deep concerns regarding Manchester United, emphasizing that he feels the essence of the club has diminished under the guidance of current manager Ruben Amorim. During a recent episode of his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer mentioned that he perceives a sense of disparity within the team and now approaches matches with an expectation of loss.

The team’s recent performance, suffering a 3-1 setback against Brentford, highlighted their struggles, accumulating only 34 points in Amorim’s 33 league matches without achieving consecutive victories. Even in the face of this disappointing result, the club continues to back Amorim, although they sit in a lowly 14th position in the Premier League standings.

Rooney criticized the attitude and performance of some players, urging that “a new engine” is necessary for improvement, while asserting that certain individuals “do not deserve to wear the shirt.” He called for significant changes throughout the organization to restore the team to its former glory.

“I see no signs that instill confidence,” the former England international stated, highlighting the urgent need for transformation at the club.

A Call for Direction from Ownership

Manchester United ended last season in 15th place, marking their worst finish in the top flight since the 1973-74 season. Amorim took over in November after achieving back-to-back league titles with Sporting Lisbon but has since faced challenges, including a concerning winless streak in their last eight Premier League matches away from home.

Rooney indicated that a clear message regarding the club’s direction is crucial from the current owners, the Glazers and minority stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. He pointed out the need for transparency about where Manchester United is heading, expressing concern that fans are left waiting for everything to fall apart.

“The culture at the club is lost,” Rooney lamented, noting job cuts and staff departures that have affected morale. He shared his worries as a parent with two children in the club’s academy, hoping that ongoing issues do not hinder their development.

The Need for Comprehensive Reform

Following the disappointing defeat, Amorim stated, “I am never worried about my job,” maintaining his stance amidst the criticism for adhering to his preferred tactical setup. Former players, including ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards, have suggested that his tactics could lead to serious repercussions if performances do not improve, while recognized pundit Alan Shearer hinted at the manager being fortunate to retain his position thus far.

Rooney reflected on his own managerial experiences, showing empathy for Amorim but questioning how the current state of the team aligns with the heritage of Manchester United.

“I genuinely want him to succeed,” he said, “but after everything I’ve seen, I must admit, I lack confidence in that.”

The former United captain closed by stating that he does not recognize the club anymore, citing a severe lack of determination and character among the players, which diminishes any hope of success.

“Everything about the club requires substantial fixes,” he asserted, emphasizing that ongoing changes under Ratcliffe’s new stake in the club represent a significant challenge, particularly witnessing long-term employees facing redundancy.

The Glazer family continues to hold majority ownership, while Ratcliffe now oversees football operations following his acquisition of a 27.7% stake valued at approximately £1.25bn earlier this year.