Wayne Rooney Warns “Something Is Broken” at Manchester United After Ruben Amorim’s Post-Grimsby Comments

Wayne Rooney has expressed deep concern about the state of Manchester United following the team’s shocking League Cup defeat to fourth-tier Grimsby Town, pointing to manager Ruben Amorim’s remarks as evidence that serious issues exist within the club.

United staged a dramatic comeback from a 2-0 deficit to level the match on Wednesday, only to fall 12-11 in a marathon penalty shootout after summer signing Bryan Mbeumo’s decisive penalty struck the crossbar. Following the defeat, an evidently dejected Amorim, who chose not to watch the shootout and remained seated in the dugout, stated: “I felt my players spoke really loudly today what they want.”

Last season, Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League — their lowest position since being relegated in 1974. Despite hopes that Amorim’s first full pre-season in charge, coupled with nearly £200 million ($269 million) invested in new attacking talent, would spark a turnaround, the club has started the current campaign poorly. They have suffered a home loss to Arsenal, managed only a draw away at Fulham, and endured the humiliating exit at the hands of Grimsby, triggering questions over Amorim’s future at Old Trafford just three matches into the season.

On his BBC show, The Wayne Rooney Show, the club’s all-time leading scorer spoke candidly about his worries. “Just the way they lost, it was disheartening. There’s something not right. I think that’s clear. I think the manager said that after the game, and I think that’s clear for everyone to see that there’s something not right there,” Rooney said.

He continued, “So the issue now is we’re seeing very similar performances, similar results, and even though it’s only three games into the season, it’s getting to a point now where you’re like… what is going on?”

Rooney highlighted the significance of Amorim’s post-match comments, describing them as “damning” for the players. “The biggest concern is the manager saying that, his words after the game were damning on the players and obviously being in a position where I’ve been in that dressing room, if your manager comes out with those words, there’s something broken.”

Reflecting on Amorim’s situation, Rooney suggested that the Portuguese coach may be struggling with the immense pressure of leading a club of Manchester United’s stature after moving from Sporting Lisbon in November. “I think what we forget, he’s 40,” Rooney noted. “He’s a young manager. And Manchester United is so different from where he’s been before. And you come in, there’s the media team, the commercial team, the fans, the media. It’s completely different.”

He added, “And there’s a pressure with Manchester United which he will never have felt before. And when you’re not winning games, that can start to get to you, and it looks like it was a breaking point for him.”

Rooney’s candid reflections underline the growing unease surrounding Manchester United’s current struggles both on and off the pitch.