Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has urged the current team to keep faith in Ruben Amorim’s methods after the head coach suggested that punditry comments were influencing his players. Rooney had previously expressed doubts about Amorim’s tactics ahead of their win over Sunderland, suggesting he had ‘lost faith’ in the Portuguese coach’s approach.
This sentiment was echoed by other former players such as Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. In a pre-match press conference on Friday, Amorim voiced his concerns that remarks from club legends were beginning to affect his squad.
He said: “I understand when people think ‘what would this team be like in a different system?’. Perhaps this team would secure more victories. But if we don’t alter certain aspects, we won’t clinch titles, even if we switch to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2.
“That’s my message to the players. I’m not trying to change your minds, but I can assure you, my players are taking on board all these opinions because we’re not winning matches.
“They need to trust in me. So my biggest issue is that my players believe in you guys [pundits and journalists] when you say the problem with our team is the system.”
Following the victory on Saturday afternoon, Rooney was asked for his response to Amorim’s press conference comments.
“I’m sure they are,” he said on The Wayne Rooney Show when questioned on whether the players know what he has said about Amorim’s system.
“I said when I made the comments, it’s not something that I really wanted to do but I feel you have to tell the truth on it. Ruben Amorim himself has been critical about the players.
“It wasn’t long ago he was telling us it was the worst Manchester United team in the history of the club. That’s him being honest.
“If that’s his thoughts, that’s his thoughts. For the players, they have to keep focused on what they’re doing.
“He’s the manager, listen to what he’s saying and tactically what he wants to try and win games. That’s the only way it changes, unfortunately.
“I’ve been there as a player and been criticised as a player. You have to just try and focus on your job and win games.
“You’re at Manchester United. It’s still one of the biggest clubs in the world so you have to expect to be criticised when you don’t win games or play well.
“On the flip side of that, the benefits of playing well and winning games are huge.”