Wayne Rooney has made a U-turn on Ruben Amorim just days after claiming he had no faith in the Manchester United manager ahead of the 2-0 win over Sunderland
Wayne Rooney has made a complete U-turn on Ruben Amorim just days after declaring he had lost all belief in the Manchester United boss. Rooney had been among the United legends piling pressure on the embattled head coach following a woeful start to the campaign.
There were suggestions Saturday’s Sunderland clash at Old Trafford might have spelt the end for Amorim had the result gone against him, but an impressive 2-0 triumph appears to have secured his position for a few more weeks.
Speaking on his BBC podcast ahead of the game, Rooney aired his frustrations at the club’s stagnation under Amorim, who still hasn’t strung consecutive Premier League victories together after nearly 12 months at the helm.
The ex-Derby and Birmingham manager said: “I just don’t know what’s going on. I have tried my hand in management and it didn’t work out too well, so I get it.
“Ruben Amorim is my age, he’s still a young manager and I’m sure he’s got a massive future, but what’s going on at Man United, this is not Man United.
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“I honestly hope he can turn it around and he does. But, after everything I’ve seen, honestly, I’ve got no faith in it.”
Taking aim at the squad, he continued: “I don’t see players fighting, I don’t see character, I don’t see desire to win. I go to a game expecting the team to lose or maybe pick up a point.
“The soul has gone from the club. It needs a new engine, a new lease of life. It needs something to kick-start that football club. What is going on? This is not all on the manager, by the way. Players, they’re not deserving to wear that shirt and it hurts.”
However, following United’s victory over Sunderland, which brought them within six points of leaders Arsenal, Rooney has since praised Amorim for his tactical adjustments during the match against the Black Cats. Speaking at the Legends of Football dinner in London, he told Sky Sports: “A good result at the weekend.
“A high-pressure game for the manager, the players, the club and I thought they played really well, [they were] efficient.
“I want and do hope that Amorim does well and the form turns around. As I’ve said, he’s a fantastic young manager but if you’re not getting results, the pressure is going to come on you. I really do hope he turns it around.
“He changed it a bit at the weekend, more with two up front and went a bit more direct. You’ve got to give him credit because he has said he won’t change, but he did slightly change it, and it worked. We now need to see four, five, six wins in a row, which will get you up the table.”
Former Everton player Rooney will be eagerly hoping Amorim can finally secure consecutive league victories when United face Liverpool on October 19.
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