Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney urged the current team to remain faithful in Reuben Amorim’s way after the head coach suggested that Panditry’s comments were affecting his players. Rooney had previously expressed doubts about Amorim’s tactics ahead of his victory at Sunderland, suggesting that he had “lost his faith” in the Portuguese coach’s approach.
This sentiment was echoed by other former players, including Paul Shoals and Nikki Batt. At a pre-game press conference on Friday, Amorim expressed concern that comments from the club’s legends are beginning to affect his team.
He said: “I understand when people think, ‘What will this team look like in a different system?’ Perhaps this team will secure more wins. However, if you don’t change certain aspects, switching to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 won’t clinch the title.
“That’s my message to the players. I’m not trying to change your mind, but I can assure you, my players have all these opinions because we haven’t won the match.
“They need to trust me, so my biggest problem is when I say my team’s problem is the system, my players believe in you (experts and journalists).
After Saturday afternoon’s victory, Rooney was asked to respond to Amorim’s press conference comments.
“I’m sure they are,” he said on the Wayne Rooney show when asked whether players knew what he had said about the Amorim system.
“When I made the comment, it wasn’t something I really wanted to do, but I feel like you have to tell the truth. Reuben Amorim himself was critical of the players.
“It wasn’t long ago that he was saying he was the worst Manchester United team in club history, and that’s what he’s honest about.
“If that’s what he thinks, that’s his idea. For players, they have to keep focused on what they’re doing.
“He’s the manager and listen to what he’s saying and tactically listen to what he wants to try the game and win. Unfortunately, that’s the only way it can change.
“I’m there as a player and I’m being criticized as a player. I have to focus on my work and win the game, I have to win the game.
“You’re at Manchester United. It’s still one of the biggest clubs in the world, so you have to expect to be criticized for not winning the game or playing well.
“On the other side, the advantages of playing well and winning games are enormous.”
