Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has warned that “something is broken” at Old Trafford after manager Ruben Amorim’s reaction to the club’s shock Carabao Cup exit against fourth-tier Grimsby Town.
United came from 2-0 down to level the game but eventually lost 12-11 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, with Bryan Mbeumo striking the crossbar in the decisive moment.
Amorim, who remained seated in the dugout rather than watching the shoot-out unfold, said afterwards: “I felt my players spoke really loud today what they want.”
The result intensified pressure on the Portuguese coach just three games into the new campaign, with United already suffering a home defeat to Arsenal, a draw at Fulham, and now a humiliating cup loss. This comes after last season’s disastrous 15th-place finish — their lowest since relegation in 1974 — despite a £200 million summer spending spree.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC, United’s all-time top scorer said the performance and Amorim’s post-match comments were alarming.
“Just the way they lost, it was disheartening. There’s something not right. The manager said that after the game and I think it’s clear for everyone to see. The biggest concern is the manager saying that, his words after the game were damning on the players. If your manager comes out with those words, there’s something broken.”
Rooney suggested that Amorim, 40, may be struggling with the unique pressures of managing one of football’s biggest clubs after moving from Sporting Lisbon last year to replace Erik ten Hag.
“He’s a young manager and Manchester United is so different to where he’s been before. The media, the commercial expectations, the fans, the pressure — it’s completely different. And when you’re not winning games, that pressure builds. From his words, it looks like it was a breaking point for him.”
United’s next fixtures are expected to be crucial in determining Amorim’s future at Old Trafford, with growing questions over whether he can withstand the demands of the job.
