Rooney has ‘no faith’ that Amorim can revive Man Utd

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer, has made some cutting criticism of the club’s current state under manager Ruben Amorim. The former United and England captain admitted via his BBC podcast that he has “no faith” Amorim can turn things around, based on what he’s seen so far.

What prompted the comments

• United are having a poor start to the 2025/26 Premier League season. After six matches, they have only seven points and sit 14th in the table.
• Under Amorim’s management, across 33 league games, the record is nine wins, 17 defeats, and seven draws.
• Their worst Premier League campaign in decades (finishing 15th last season) still haunts the club’s identity among supporters and former players like Rooney.

What Rooney criticised

• Culture and identity: Rooney said the club has “lost its soul.” He feels the spirit, character, desire to win, and the fight that once defined United are missing.
• Players: He expressed doubts about many players, suggesting that not all “deserve to wear the shirt.”
• Leadership and expectation: Rooney emphasised that for him now, going to a United game often means expecting defeat or settling for a draw. That’s a stark contrast from the club’s traditional expectations.

What Rooney acknowledged or left open

• That Amorim is still young and has potential. Rooney said he hopes Amorim can revive things, but stressed that based on what he has seen, he just doesn’t believe he will.
• That it’s not all down to Amorim. Some blame goes to the players, and broader club structures according to Rooney.

Implications

1. Pressure on Amorim
   These kinds of statements from a club legend like Rooney increase scrutiny on Amorim’s performance. Board members, fans, media will likely use them to demand improvements — perhaps immediately.
2. Need for structural changes
   When someone says a club has “lost its soul,” it’s often more than just tactics. Changes in recruitment, training, culture, morale, leadership, and how the club treats its heritage are implied.
3. Player accountability
   If players are perceived as lacking character or fighting spirit, that suggests changes in the squad may be on the cards—not just in quality, but in mentality.
4. Fan sentiment
   Roche’s comments resonate with many fans. Their expectations are high, rooted in United’s tradition of challenging for titles. When ex-players voice doubt, it amplifies fan discontent.
5. Short-term vs long-term challenge
   Amorim may need immediate results to stay in favour, but building sustainable success often takes time. If Rooney’s ‘no faith’ mood spreads, patience might be thin.

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