(DDM) – Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has sounded a serious warning over the club’s declining fortunes under current manager Ruben Amori.
Rooney, who remains United’s all-time top goalscorer with 253 goals, voiced concern after the team’s humiliating 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Manchester City.
He described the performance as “further proof” that the once-dominant English side is failing to progress despite managerial changes and heavy spending.
The derby defeat not only exposed United’s weaknesses but also reinforced City’s dominance in English football under Pep Guardiola.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Amori was appointed on November 1st last year to replace Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed after failing to secure Champions League qualification.
Ten Hag’s final season was marred by inconsistent performances, dressing room unrest, and a lack of clear tactical identity.
Amori arrived from Sporting Lisbon with a glowing reputation, having won domestic titles in Portugal and developing a fast, attacking style of play.
At the time of his appointment, fans and pundits believed he could rejuvenate United’s dressing room and restore confidence.
Nearly one year on, however, many supporters believe the Portuguese coach has failed to impose his philosophy at Old Trafford.
United’s form has been patchy, with heavy defeats in big games raising doubts about the team’s resilience and competitiveness.
The loss to City was United’s fourth defeat in six matches against top-six opponents this season.
Statistics show United have conceded 12 goals in their last five league games, highlighting defensive frailties Amori has not resolved.
Rooney’s intervention adds fuel to growing debates among pundits who argue United are further away from challenging for the Premier League title.
The former captain’s words carry authority because of his legacy as a five-time Premier League winner and Champions League champion with United.
Supporters expressed frustration on social media, with many echoing Rooney’s claim that the team looks worse under Amori’s leadership.
Some fans accused the board of making another poor managerial choice, continuing a cycle of failed experiments since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Since Ferguson’s departure, United have cycled through managers including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and Erik ten Hag.
Each appointment was meant to bring stability, but instead, the club’s identity and style of play have continued to blur.
Rooney also highlighted a lack of fight and character in the squad, saying such weaknesses would have been unacceptable in his era.
Pundits have pointed to key underperforming players, with some suggesting Amori has failed to get the best out of marquee signings.
The club’s expensive forwards have struggled for consistency, while midfield creativity remains a persistent problem.
City, by contrast, looked composed, clinical, and dominant in every department, underlining the gulf between the two Manchester clubs.
Critics say Amori’s tactics are too cautious and predictable, leaving United without the attacking spark needed to unsettle stronger opponents.
Some insiders believe the Portuguese coach may already be fighting for his job if results do not improve before the season ends.
The board faces increasing pressure to decide whether to persist with Amori or risk another managerial shake-up.
For Rooney, the current decline is painful to witness given the standards he upheld during his playing career.
He warned that unless urgent steps are taken, United could drift even further away from competing with Europe’s elite clubs.
The defeat has sparked a wider debate on whether United’s problems go beyond the manager, extending to recruitment, ownership, and player mentality.
Many fans now await the team’s response in upcoming fixtures, hoping for signs of recovery that could rescue the season.
But until then, the scrutiny on Ruben Amori will only intensify, with Rooney’s words resonating as both a warning and a reflection of fans’ growing frustration.
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