Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United are regressing under manager Ruben Amorim, warning that the Portuguese coach has failed to improve results or performances nearly a year into his tenure.
Amorim was appointed on 1 November last year following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag, but Rooney — United’s record goalscorer and former captain — says the club looks “worse” despite spending heavily and reshaping the squad.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds, the ex-England striker said:
“I want to be as supportive and positive as I can be on the manager and the players. But it is very difficult to sit here and say we are seeing progression, or even signs that results will improve in the near future. We’re seeing none of that.”
United slumped to a 3-0 derby defeat against Manchester City on Sunday, a result that left fans filing out of the Etihad long before full-time. Rooney said the images told their own story.
“You could hear the fans singing Amorim’s name, but the fact that many were leaving shows how disappointed they were. It’s hard to see how this continues.”
United finished 15th in the Premier League last season with 42 points — their lowest top-flight return in over three decades. Since Amorim’s arrival, the club has spent around £250m while clearing out several players, yet his win rate stands at just 36% across all competitions, the worst of any permanent United boss since World War Two.
In the league, that figure drops to 26%. Since his appointment, United have managed just 31 points from 31 games, the joint-worst record in the Premier League during that span alongside Tottenham.
Rooney warned: “That’s relegation form. What is important when you’re trying to implement a new style is to win games at the same time. That’s not happening.”
Amorim has been wedded to his preferred 3-4-3 system, which he previously used to success with Sporting Lisbon. But Rooney says the formation is exposing United’s midfield.
“The problem is having only two in central midfield. The players haven’t got the energy or legs to cover the width of the pitch. They’re getting overrun and overpowered. If you’re struggling, you have to put three in midfield and give yourself a chance.”
United’s poor start to the 2025–26 season has already seen them crash out of the Carabao Cup to League Two Grimsby and collect just four points from their first four league matches — their worst opening since 1992–93.
While Sir Alex Ferguson was able to lean on early trophy wins to buy time during his reign, Amorim has yet to deliver either silverware or sustained improvement.
*“If the manager is honest with himself,” Rooney concluded, “it has got worse.”
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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