Ruben Amorim hit back at Wayne Rooney after the Manchester United head coach was branded “naive” for talking about winning the Premier League in the wake of his side’s FA Cup exit to Fulham on penalties.
Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee both had penalties saved as Fulham won the shoot-out at Old Trafford to eliminate the Cup holders after a 1-1 draw and book their place in the quarter-finals against Crystal Palace.
Amorim said United’s ultimate goal was to win the Premier League again but Rooney suggested it was a “little bit naive” to be talking in such terms with his side “a long way off that”.
But the United head coach responded to Rooney’s remarks by claiming it was “really easy” for pundits who “know everything” to criticise.
“That is the goal [to win the Premier League],” Amorim said. “To be naive is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender next season.
“So 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.
“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 with all the great glories and legends of this club.
“We will want to do better and we are in a difficult moment. And I’m not naive, that’s why I’m here, at 40 years old, coaching Manchester United.”
Rooney: United no longer a draw for top players
Rooney also suggested United may struggle to attract players this summer given their troubles.
“You need to be in a stable position to bring the best players in,” he said. “If I’m a player playing in a different country or a different club, Man United come to me, and I’m looking thinking: ‘You know, I’m not sure’. The top players want Champions League football. And unfortunately, that’s not where the club is.”
Calvin Bassey had given Fulham the lead on the stroke of half-time before Bruno Fernandes equalised for United with 19 minutes of normal time remaining. With neither team able to score in extra time, the game went to penalties, with Amorim defending his decision to allow Lindelof to take a spot-kick. “He was really confident to take a shot, he is training really well so it was an obvious choice,” Amorim said.
United again lacked a cutting edge in attack, with Rasmus Hojlund – who has now gone 18 matches without a goal – replaced in the 68th minute by 17-year-old Chido Obi, who had two good chances to win the match in stoppage time. Amorim admitted his side’s lack of goals was an issue.
“We have a problem with goals,” Amorim said. “We create situations but in the last games you feel it is in set-pieces we will create chances.”
Asked if Obi was coming into contention to start ahead of Hojlund, Amorim said: “Anything can happen in the next games, we don’t have much time to train but we need to see the opposition, feel the moment physically. Anything can happen but I will focus on the next game. I will choose the best players to win the next match.”
United’s Cup exit means the Europa League is their last realistic chance of silverware and European qualification this season but Amorim heads into Thursday’s round of 16 first leg away to Real Sociedad with more fitness concerns.
Harry Maguire came off and will require assessment and Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee both appeared to be struggling with cramp. United are already without Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Jonny Evans, Toby Collyer, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton.
Rooney believes Amorim will get time to address United’s problems but says “everyone’s a little bit on edge”.
“I do think he’ll get it [time] but it’s not a free hit because I think you’d expect a bit more from Manchester United than what we’re seeing since he’s been in,” Rooney said.
“It’s very difficult to come in during the season and not have the pre-season to implement his plans with the team. He has to look to the future moving forward and how can they firstly – he says win the Premier League – but how can they compete to get a bit further up the table, I think that’s the next step for them.
“I think it’s a little bit naive to say: ‘We’re looking to win the Premier League’ because, from where they are now, they’re a long way off that.”
