Ruben Amorim has aimed a brutal dig at Wayne Rooney after seeing the Manchester United legend brand the Red Devils’ title aspirations “naive”.
Ex-England captain Rooney was on punditry duty as United saw the defence of their FA Cup crown come to an end in a fifth-round penalty shootout defeat to Fulham.
Amorim’s side are still chasing down success in the Europa League, but find themselves languishing 14th in the Premier League table.
Despite those struggles, Amorim has suggested that the long-term goal for the Red Devils is to savour domestic dominance once more – having previously captured 13 titles under legendary former coach Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Rooney, who formed part of five title-winning squads during his record-breaking spell at Old Trafford, responded to that bold statement from United’s current coach by saying:
“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.”
Amorim is paying little attention to any doubters and told reporters when being made aware of Rooney’s comments, with the Portuguese’s stock as a coach having soared in a short space of time:
“That is the goal.
“Being naive is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender next season.
“So I know that at this moment everybody knows everything.
“I know that and it’s really easy – I was a pundit when I finished my career.
“I know it’s really easy.
“Our goal is to win the Premier League.
“Maybe it is not with me.
“But our goal, as a club, the board, is to win the Premier League like we did in the past with all the great glories and legends of this club and we will want to do better and we are in a difficult moment.
“And I’m not naive, that’s why I’m here, at 40 years old, coaching Manchester United.”
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While Amorim has been entrusted with overseeing another United rebuild at 40, Rooney is fighting to salvage his managerial reputation at the age of 39.
He has flopped badly in his last two posts at Birmingham and Plymouth, with those reigns lasting just 83 days and 25 games respectively.
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