“How can he…” Wayne Rooney baffled at “naive” comment from Rúben Amorim after Manchester United loss

Wayne Rooney has been left baffled by one comment from Rúben Amorim following Manchester United’s loss against Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday evening.

Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup after a penalty-shootout defeat to Fulham following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

United started well but lacked precision in the final third, and Fulham punished them before half-time as Calvin Bassey struck from a corner. Rúben Amorim made changes at the break, introducing Alejandro Garnacho and Victor Lindelöf, but Fulham remained on top.

Chido Obi and Casemiro then came on, and Bruno Fernandes quickly equalized with a sharp finish. United pushed for a winner in extra time, with Obi and Garnacho going close, but penalties decided the tie.

Both teams converted their first three before Bernd Leno saved from Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee, sealing United’s exit.

Amorim’s Premier League claim

Speaking after the loss, Amorim was asked how he feels the result against Fulham may affect his current squad, considering that they are currently sat 14th in the Premier League.

United have suffered a number of losses under Amorim during his Premier League tenure so far, with some fans starting to question whether he is the right man to lead them forward.

However, the 40-year-old explained in his reply that he and the whole club are focused on the larger goal of winning the Premier League title. There have been reports that the club’s board are hoping they can bring the trophy back to Old Trafford in 2028.

“The goal is to win the Premier League,” he told the BBC. “I don’t know how long it is going to take but that’s our goal and no matter what we continue forward.”

Rooney brands Amorim “naive”

However, in reaction to his quote, former United striker and club legend Wayne Rooney has said Amorim’s claim of looking to win the Premier League is a little naive and that he should first focus on making sure they can climb up the table.

Read More: Ruben Amorim delivers clear Chido Obi assessment after Man Utd vs Fulham defeat

“He has to look to the future and move forward, and how can he, firstly, he said win the Premier League, how can he compete to get a bit further up the table?” Rooney said.

“I think that’s the next step for them, but ultimately the goal moving forward over the next few years is to try and do that.”

Continuing, the former England striker said: “I think the issue maybe of looking too far ahead is what we’re seeing over the last 10-15 years is managers are not getting that time.

“So you have to be a little bit selfish as a manager and say, ‘OK, if I don’t do it now, then I might never knock at that time’. And maybe, you know, I think that is a little bit naive to say ‘we’re looking to win the Premier League’ because from where they are now, they’re a long way off that.”

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