Is Rooney right? Has Ruben Amorim made Man United “worse”?

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has delivered a brutal assessment of Ruben Amorim’s reign at Old Trafford, claiming the team have regressed since the Portuguese coach replaced Erik ten Hag.

Amorim took charge of United in November 2024, just a fortnight after Ten Hag’s dismissal. The Dutchman had left United 14th in the Premier League after nine matches, following an eighth-place finish in 2023/24.

But despite a major rebuild and heavy investment, Amorim has failed to spark improvement. United ended last season in 15th — their lowest ever Premier League finish — and remain 14th this term after Sunday’s 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City.

How much has Ruben Amorim spent on Man United transfers?

Since his appointment, Amorim has been backed with more than a quarter of a billion pounds in the transfer market.

United spent £25m to sign left-back Patrick Dorgu midway through last season, before splashing a further £232.4m this summer — the fifth-highest outlay of any club in a record-breaking Premier League window.

High-profile arrivals included Bryan Mbeumo (£65m) and Benjamin Sesko (£74m), both of whom started in the Manchester derby alongside Dorgu.

What did Wayne Rooney say about Amorim?

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds, United’s all-time record goalscorer admitted he wants to remain positive, but he is seeing no signs of progress.

Rooney said: “I want to be as supportive and positive as I can be on the manager and the players. But it is very difficult to sit here and say we are seeing progression, and at least we’re seeing things that will get results in the near future. We’re seeing none of that, and it is very difficult.”

The 39-year-old also highlighted the sight of away fans leaving early at the Etihad as a damning indictment.

“There was an image towards the end of the game where I saw the Manchester United fans leaving,” he added. “You could hear the fans singing Amorim’s name, but I think that is so powerful that the United fans were leaving the game. You know the game is over and I think they were very disappointed in what they were seeing. It is hard to see how it continues.”

Wayne Rooney, pictured (right) playing for Man United, thinks his former club have declined under Ruben Amorim

Rooney also questioned Amorim’s tactics and his refusal to venture away from his preferred 3-4-3 formation.

“The problem with this system is having two in central midfield,” Rooney explained. “The players have not got the energy and legs to cover the full width of the pitch and go up and down. They’re getting overrun and overpowered in that midfield.

“Listen, I have had my time as a manager, and I know how it works, and I know how it is when someone else looks and critiques your formation. I can understand that, but it is so obvious. If you’re struggling, you have to put three in midfield and give yourself a chance to compete.”

Rooney bluntly concluded: “I think if the manager is honest with himself, it has got worse.”

Have Man United really got worse under Amorim?

The numbers paint a grim picture. Since Amorim’s arrival, United have taken just 31 points from 31 league matches — joint-worst in the division alongside Tottenham.

Amorim has taken charge of 47 games to date, losing more than he has won, with 17 victories, 12 draws and 18 defeats — a win rate of just 36.17%.

By comparison, Ten Hag’s United won twice as many as they lost, recording 70 wins, 23 draws and 35 defeats in 128 matches, for a 54.69% win rate.

United’s recent displays also back up Rooney’s concerns. A humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two Grimsby has already piled pressure on Amorim this season, while United have managed just two goals from open play in their opening four league fixtures.

For Rooney, the bottom line is that the rebuild cannot be an excuse. He said: “Quite a lot of league seasons that is relegation form. What is important when you’re trying to implement a new style is you win games as well while you’re doing that.”