Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has hit back at club legend Wayne Rooney over his comments following the loss to Fulham in the FA Cup.
On Sunday evening, FA Cup holders United were knocked out of the competition in the fifth round after losing to Fulham in a penalty shootout at Old Trafford.
Immediately after the match, United boss Amorim reiterated that it remains his goal to win the Premier League with his new club, while admitting that the club is in a bad place at the minute.
The Portuguese manager’s claim was met with harsh criticism from club legend Rooney, but now Amorim has responded to the former United forward, and he’s not happy.
Following the match, Rooney suggested that Amorim’s high hopes for the future at United were ‘naive’ given the fact that they were currently sitting 14th in the Premier League table.
And when he was told by reporters exactly what Rooney had said, Amorim made it clear that this was his long-term plan, and made sure to aim a dig at the pundit about his career choices.
“That is the goal. To be naive would be to think that we are going to do it this season or are going to be the best contender for next season.
“I know that in this moment, everybody knows everything. I know that it’s really easy, I was a pundit when I finished my career, so I know it’s really easy.”
Rooney has attempted to follow the list of former players who have gone on to become elite managers, but has struggled after spells at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and, most recently, Plymouth Argyle.
Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham in the fifth round. (Image: Getty)
Amorim continued: “Our goal is to win the Premier League, maybe it’s not with me, but our goal as a club is winning the Premier League like we did in the past with all the great glories and the legends of this club.
“We want to do better and we know that we are in a difficult moment, and I’m not naive, that’s why I’m here coaching Manchester United at 40 years old.”
Not only did Rooney call Amorim naive post-match but he also admitted that he believes that, if he were still playing in his prime today, he would not want to sign for United in their current state.
He said: “If I’m a top player playing in a different country and Manchester United came to sign me now, I’d be thinking I’m not sure. The top players want Champions League football and unfortunately, that’s not where the club are.”
