Wayne Rooney feels Rúben Amorim is not being honest with himself after the Manchester United coach’s recent claims.
Manchester United slumped to their third defeat of the season as Manchester City eased to a 3-0 Premier League win over Rúben Amorim’s side at the Etihad Stadium.
The derby began with early efforts from Benjamin Šeško and Erling Haaland, though both teams struggled to settle into a rhythm. City struck first when Phil Foden broke the deadlock shortly before the 20-minute mark.
United were unable to respond before half-time, and although they started the second half brightly, their momentum was quickly cut short. Haaland doubled City’s lead and then added another not long after, effectively killing the contest.
Chances for Bryan Mbeumo and Casemiro offered hope of a response, but neither took them, and City comfortably closed out a dominant win in the rain-soaked derby.
Rooney: Amorim is not being honest with himself
The Manchester derby has left United 14th in the Premier League table with four points after four games, their worst start to a season since the 1992/93 campaign.
However, when speaking with the press after the City result, Amorim was adamant that he feels his team are doing better. I see that we are doing better, but then the results don’t show that,” he explained.
“Again, I remember last year we play, in the former club [Sporting], we play against City. We won 4-1 [in the UEFA Champions League]. It was not near the opportunities, the way we control the game compared to today.
“But in certain moments, we were not better than City. So, I understand that, and it’s hard, and the record says everything, so I understand.”
However, speaking on his BBC show, Wayne Rooney explained that, if Amorim is really being honest with himself, he should recognise that his side has regressed since he joined the club.
“I think after the last year, when [Erik] ten Hag got sacked and Ruben came in, we’re hearing how they’re going to play and it is going to change,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show. “I think if the manager is honest with himself, it has got worse.”
Amorim isn’t taking the easy wins
While many used to be confused and aghast at former boss Erik ten Hag when he would make wholesale changes each time his ideas were not working at United, Amorim has swung too far the other way – he’s not making enough adjustments.
Ten Hag would start pre-season with one style, then, after it did not work in the opening few fixtures, he would completely throw his plan out of the window, which ultimately hindered his progress at United.
However, with Amorim, despite several small changes he could make to improve his team’s play, he refuses to implement any.
Small wins, such as adding a third midfielder, building up with his midfield instead of his centre-backs, or asking one of his wing-backs to invert, would all help stave off the vast gaps in the middle of the park. Still, the head coach is refusing to change, which may ultimately lead to his dismissal.
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