Ruben Amorim’s second subtle dig at Wayne Rooney after Man Utd icon’s ‘naive’ blast

Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney called Ruben Amorim “naive” after the Red Devils were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Fulham and the manager has now hit back

Ruben Amorim appears to have taken a dig at Wayne Rooney’s management career after the Manchester United legend called him “naive”.

After his United side were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Fulham, Amorim said: “The goal is to win the Premier League. I know we are losing games but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don’t know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what.”

However, Rooney took issue with Amorim’s comments and told the BBC: “I think it’s a little naive to say they’re looking to win the Premier League because from where they are now, they’re a long way off that. Get further up the table, I think that’s the next step for them.”

Amorim, though, hit back and appeared to aim a subtle jab at his coaching record by pointing out that he is in charge of United while Rooney – who turns 40 this year – is out of work after he was sacked by Championship side Plymouth Argyle in December.

When Rooney’s comments were put to him, Amorim also referenced his age and said : “That (winning the Premier League) is the goal. To be naive is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender next season.

“I know in this moment, everybody knows everything. I was a pundit when I finished my [playing] career. I know it’s really easy. Maybe it is not with me but our goal, as a club, is to win the Premier League like we did in the past with all the great glories and legends of this club.

“We are in a difficult moment. And I’m not naive, that’s why I’m here, at 40 years old, coaching Manchester United.” The second dig comes after Amorim said “it’s really easy” to be critical as a pundit.

Reflecting on his side’s FA Cup exit, Amorim added: “I think we started quite well with good possession, controlling the game. But we cannot maintain that for all the game. Sometimes we drop the lines to feel more comfortable, trying to use the transitions.

“I think during the game, we create the best chances. Sometimes we didn’t control the game with the ball. But in the end, with the penalties, [it] can happen for both sides and today was not our day.

“It’s always hard because you always have the cups when the league is not going in the right direction, but we need to focus on the big goal, that is improving the team, trying to imagine how we are going to improve the team, not just in this moment, in this season, for the next season. So, we have to think not just in the moment, but also in the future.”

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