“Ruben Amorim is not serious, how could he benched that guy for a player like Zirkzee? I don’t think he’s the right person for the job”: Man United’s legend Wayne Rooney slams Ruben Amorim for benching the club’s best player against Fulham
Manchester United were dumped out of the FA Cup by Fulham on Sunday to send Ruben Amorim crashing to a fresh low.
United now only have the Europa League to play for after the Cottagers claimed a win in the fifth round at Old Trafford. Amorim’s reign is continuing to go from bad to worse, but the boss has insisted his focus is on winning the Premier League in the future.
That led to club legend Wayne Rooney branding the 39-year-old ‘naive’ over his aims for his side. Amorim in turn stood his ground, claiming that Rooney has an ‘easy job’ as a pundit.
The spat between Rooney and Amorim comes as the United boss warned the flops in his side that he is ready to cut ties with them in the summer. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Manchester United news.
Amorim sparks Rooney spat
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has hit back at Wayne Rooney after the legend labelled the Old Trafford manager “naive” for his claims that he is aiming to win the Premier League title. Amorim insisted his target is a good one to have.
“I know that in this moment everybody knows everything. I know that and it’s really easy – I was a pundit when I finished my career. I know it’s really easy,” he fumed.
“Our goal is to win the Premier League. Maybe it is not with me. But our goal, as a club, the board, is to win the Premier League like we did in the past. I’m not naive, that’s why I’m here, at 40 years old, coaching Manchester United.”
Reason for Garnacho drop confirmed
Ruben Amorim revealed Alejandro Garnacho had to settle for a place on the bench in Manchester United’s FA Cup clash against Fulham due to an injury issue. Garnacho had been reprimanded after storming away following his substition in the win over Ipswich, though Amorim insisted that did not factor in to his decision on Sunday.
“Garnacho had an issue last game so we are using Eriksen because he is fit. We have Garnacho on the bench if we need him because it is a game that decides if we go into the next stage,” he said.
“We are going to try to use the characteristics of Chris which is quite different from Garnacho. The substitution (last game) was clear, he paid for the dinner and he’s ready to go. He’s working really well so I hope he continues to have an impact if we need it in the game.”
Amorim issues flop warning
Ruthless Ruben Amorim has warned that any Manchester United players who he deems to be ‘harming the team’ will be shipped out this summer. Amorim is desperate to overhaul his underperforming squad.
“Everybody understands that in football sometimes you stay, sometimes you have to move on,” he said. If I know how to explain it, I will do so because I like to be clear. I was a player and like to use that experience – when you are honest with someone, they can take it.
“In the beginning maybe it is hard but they will understand. I’m quite honest with my players and sometimes they know they have to move on at the end of the season. We can talk about that in the end – now there are still a lot of games to play. But that is clear and not a difficult situation.”
