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Manchester United, finished a dismal 15th in the Premier League last season, their worst campaign in the competition’s history. They entered the new season with renewed optimism after a reportedly £200 million summer recruitment drive. High-profile signings like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo were expected to bolster United’s attacking options, but the team’s performances have yet to reflect their investment. After a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal on the opening weekend, United squandered a lead against Fulham, settling for a draw that reportedly exposed familiar frailties.
Former England and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney has declared that the team manager Ruben Amorim has “no excuses” for the team’s lackluster start to the 2025-26 Premier League season. Following the 1-1 draw against Fulham on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Rooney’s comments, made on his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, have reportedly intensified scrutiny on Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford. “There are no excuses now for the manager this season,” he said on his podcast. Rooney further said, “He’s got to start getting results and getting results quickly because once you start getting into October, November, if results don’t change drastically, then that’s when pressure comes.”
Ruben Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag in 2024 as the manager of Manchester United
Ruben Amorim, who succeeded Erik ten Hag in November 2024, has now managed 29 Premier League games, securing just seven wins, seven draws, and 15 losses, amassing a mere 28 points with a win rate of 24.1%. The match against Fulham at Craven Cottage reportedly epitomized United’s struggles under Amorim. The Red Devils took the lead in the 58th minute through an own goal by Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, but their advantage was short-lived. Former Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe equalized 15 minutes later, capitalizing on United’s defensive lapses. A missed penalty by Bruno Fernandes further compounded their woes, and the team appeared out of ideas in the closing stages, settling for a point.
Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, criticized the penalty decision and called for VAR intervention on United’s goal, reportedly adding to the contentious atmosphere surrounding the match. Reports claim the Amorim, however, remains defiant. Earlier in March 2025, he responded to Rooney’s remarks after United’s FA Cup exit to Fulham in March 2025, where the latter reportedly called him “naive” for targeting a Premier League title. He reportedly stated, “Being naive is to think we are going to (win the title) this season or be the best contender next season. Our goal is to win the Premier League. Maybe it is not with me, but our goal as a club is winning the Premier League like we did in the past with all the great glories and the legends of this club.”
