Man United ‘soul’ is gone, no faith in Amorim, says Wayne Rooney

Legendary Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United’s soul is gone and there is no faith in current head coach Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese manager and the club is under the pump after their disappointing run in the recent past.

The Red Devils suffered a 3-1 loss against Brentford in the ongoing Premier League season at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. Amorim has taken just 34 points from his 33 Premier League games in charge and the pressure is building on the manager.

“I just don’t know what’s going on,” Rooney, 39, said on his BBC podcast.

“I have tried my hand in management and it didn’t work out too well, so I get it.

“Ruben Amorim is my age, he’s still a young manager and I’m sure he’s got a massive future, but what’s going on at Man Utd, this is not Man Utd.

“I honestly hope he can turn it round and he does. But… after everything I’ve seen, honestly, I’ve got no faith in it.”

Amorim had taken over the coaching baton from former coach Erik Ten Hag in November 2024 but he hasn’t been able to change the team’s fortunes. United had finished in 15th place in the previous season, which is their lowest position since they were relegated from the old First Division in 1974.

“I don’t recognise the whole football club,” said Rooney, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with United.

“I don’t see players fighting, I don’t see character, I don’t see desire to win. I go to a game watching… expecting the team to lose or maybe pick up a point.

“The soul has gone from the club. It needs a new engine, a new lease of life. It needs something to kickstart that football club.

“What is going on, this is not all on the manager, by the way. Players, they’re not deserving to wear that shirt and it hurts.”

Manchester United will host Sunderland at Old Trafford on Sunday.