ROONEY DROPS BOMBSHELL ON AMORIM AS PRESSURE BUILDS AT MANCHESTER UNITED
Wayne Rooney has ignited fresh turmoil at Manchester United after unleashing a scathing assessment of his former club on The Wayne Rooney Show podcast.
The club’s record goalscorer described Old Trafford as “a shadow of its former self,” claiming United has lost its soul amid managerial struggles, poor performances, and confusion at boardroom level. His comments followed a damaging 3-1 defeat to Brentford that left Ruben Amorim’s side sitting 14th in the Premier League table, perilously close to the drop zone.
United have collected just 34 points from 33 league games under Amorim, whose stubborn commitment to a 3-4-2-1 formation has been widely criticized. Yet for Rooney, the issues run deeper than tactics.
“There needs to be big changes—manager, players, whatever it takes to get Manchester United back,” he said, questioning whether some current squad members even deserve to wear the famous red shirt.
Rooney also blasted the club’s ownership, demanding clarity from the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose INEOS Group recently acquired a 27.7% stake. He lamented sweeping staff cuts that, in his words, have stripped the club of its identity. “I see staff losing jobs, people walking out. What I’m seeing at that football club is not Manchester United,” Rooney warned, adding that the upheaval may also damage the youth academy, where his children currently play.
Amorim has brushed off talk of the sack, insisting he is “not the type” to worry about his job, but pressure is mounting. United are winless in their last eight away league matches, with pundits such as Alan Shearer questioning how he has survived this long. Rooney admitted: “I hope he can turn it around. But if you’re asking me if I believe he will? Honestly, I’ve got no faith.”
Saturday’s loss to Brentford summed up United’s plight. Benjamin Sesko’s debut goal offered a glimmer of hope, but defensive lapses saw them concede twice inside 20 minutes. Bruno Fernandes then missed a crucial penalty before Brentford sealed victory with a stoppage-time third. Controversy followed when referee Craig Pawson showed only a yellow card to Nathan Collins for a last-man foul, a decision former referee Mark Halsey called “absolute nonsense.”
The fallout has only intensified calls for change. Reports suggest Ratcliffe may already be eyeing replacements such as Gareth Southgate, Oliver Glasner, or Andoni Iraola—though BBC Sport has dismissed claims of a formal shortlist. United are also said to be reluctant to act before November 1, when Amorim’s compensation fee drops.
For now, the club remains in crisis, with Rooney’s brutal honesty amplifying the unrest. Whether sweeping changes arrive in time to salvage the season—or restore Manchester United’s battered identity—remains an open question.
