Wayne Rooney could be walking into an uncomfortable situation with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim after publicly criticising his leadership. With his son Kai involved in United’s academy, Rooney is frequently at the club’s training ground, making a potential encounter with the under-fire coach inevitable.
Wayne Rooney, a legendary figure at Manchester United, is preparing for an “awkward” moment when he next crosses paths with the club’s current head coach, Ruben Amorim. This comes after Rooney’s recent public criticism of the Portuguese manager, stating that the team is now “worse” under Amorim compared to previous years. The tension is especially notable given that Rooney’s son, Kai, is currently involved in Manchester United’s academy, making regular trips to the club’s training ground.
Rooney’s Criticism of Amorim
Following Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the latest Premier League clash, Rooney expressed his frustrations with Amorim’s management. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the 39-year-old ex-striker didn’t hold back, calling the team’s performances “not good enough” and emphasising that the fans deserve honesty.
Rooney noted: “We want to support the team, we want to support the manager, but we also have to be honest because the fans are not fools. It’s uncomfortable to give our opinions at times, but it’s necessary.”
His comments were shared in light of United’s poor start to the season—just four points from their opening four matches. This is their worst Premier League start in 33 years, putting significant pressure on Amorim’s tenure at the helm.
Awkward Encounters Await
Rooney’s frequent visits to United’s training ground, where his son is part of the academy setup, put him in direct contact with Amorim, adding a layer of discomfort to an already strained relationship. “It does put us in an uncomfortable position,” said Rooney, acknowledging the awkwardness of his criticism and his presence at the club’s headquarters.
This comes at a time when Amorim’s position is under intense scrutiny. Despite continued backing from United’s board, the manager will need to turn things around quickly or risk facing a possible exit.
Amorim’s Struggles at Manchester United
Since taking charge, Amorim has faced considerable challenges at Manchester United, with his team sitting 14th in the Premier League after four games. Many supporters have voiced frustration with the manager’s tactics and the team’s lack of cohesion, especially following their crushing defeat to Manchester City.
While the board maintains faith in Amorim, the pressure is mounting. If results don’t improve soon, it’s likely that even the club’s hierarchy will begin to reassess their stance.
What’s Next for Amorim and Manchester United?
United’s next fixture sees them take on Chelsea at Old Trafford on September 23, a match that will be crucial for Amorim to show that he can steady the ship. They’ll then face Brentford on September 27, with more points needed to turn their season around.
As for Rooney, whether he encounters Ruben Amorim at the training ground remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the tension between the former United striker and the current manager is set to add an interesting dynamic to the ongoing crisis at Old Trafford.
