Ruben Amorim responded to Wayne Rooney’s suggestion that he’s “naive” to say his goal at Manchester United is to win the Premier League by telling the former club captain that it’s “easy” to be a pundit.
Amorim said his main aim at Old Trafford is to win the title as he reflected on his disappointment at United’s FA Cup exit to Fulham on Sunday.
Rooney, working as a pundit for the BBC, said the claim was “naive,” but Amorim hit back by telling the former United striker it is was “easy” to speak from the safety of a television studio.
“[The Premier League] is the goal,” said Amorim. “Being naive is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender next season. So I know that in 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.”
Fulham knocked United out of the cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Calvin Bassey gave Fulham the lead on the stroke of half-time before Bruno Fernandes equalised in the second half.
Both André Onana and Bernd Leno needed to make saves to send the game to penalties. Leno was the hero in the shootout after keeping out efforts from Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee.
It leaves United needing to win the Europa League to save their season ahead of their last-16 first leg tie against Real Sociedad in Spain on Thursday.
“I think we started quite well, we had good possession, controlling the game but we cannot maintain that for all the game,” said Amorim. “Sometimes we drop the lines to feel more comfortable to use the transitions.
“I think during the game we create the best chances. With the penalties it can happen and today was not our day.”
