Ruben Amorim hit back at Wayne Rooney after Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup, by claiming that being the club’s head coach aged 40 showed he was not naive.
Rooney, who is United’s record goalscorer, called Amorim naive for saying after the holders’ elimination from the Cup on penalties by Fulham that the club’s long-term goal is to win the Premier League.
“That is the goal,” the Portuguese said, when asked to respond to Rooney’s comments. “Being naive is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender next season. So I know that at 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.”
Rooney, working as a BBC pundit, said: “I think it’s a little naive to say they’re looking to win the Premier League because from where they are now, they’re a long way off that.”
🚨 NEW: Manchester United’s full Europa League squad for the round of 16:
Goalkeepers: Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee.
Defenders: Harry Amass, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs De Ligt, Patrick Dorgu, Jonny Evans, Ayden Heaven, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Jack Fletcher, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte.
Forwards: Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee.
Chido Obi misses out as he was only signed to the academy last year, therefore misses out on making the B list.