Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has hit back at club legend Wayne Rooney following his comments after their FA Cup fifth round exit, Afrosport reports.
United were knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday following a 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Fulham after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
After 120 minutes, we are level.
Penalties will be required to determine which club reaches the #FACup quarter-finals.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/THcuBlddwH
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 2, 2025
Amorim, who was appointed as United boss in November, said the club remains committed to their goal of winning the Premier League title, but Rooney responded by saying the former Sporting Lisbon coach was “naive” to say that.
“I know we’re losing games, but the goal is to win the Premier League again,” Amorim said in his post-game conference. “I don’t know how long it will take. We have a goal, and we continue forward no matter what.”
Meanwhile, Rooney, United’s all-time leading scorer and a five-time Premier League champion, said the Red Devils were miles off challenging for the title.
“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,” the former England international said on the BBC’s ‘Match of the Day.’
“He says winning the Premier League, how can they compete? To get further up the table, I think that’s the next step for them.”
Amorim, however, responded to Rooney, saying his comments were not naive, as he reiterated his and the club’s goal of winning the Premier League title even if it does not happen anytime soon.
“That is the goal,” he said. “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… 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.”
United last won the league in 2013 under legendary manager Alex Ferguson, but they have found it hard to reach the top of English football ever since.
The Red Devils are currently 14th in the league standings and will visit Real Sociedad on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie.
