Amorim hits back at Rooney saying why he is not 'naive' about Man Utd plan

Ruben Amorim has hit back at Wayne Rooney after Manchester United’s FA Cup exit, insisting that managing the club at 40 years old proves he is anything but naive.

Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer, criticized Amorim’s post-match comments after Fulham’s penalty shootout victory, calling the Portuguese coach “naive” for stating that United’s long-term ambition is to win the Premier League.

Amorim, however, was quick to respond. “That is the goal,” he affirmed. “Being naive would be thinking we could do it this season or even be the top contender next season. I know that at this moment, everyone has an opinion—when I finished my career, I was a pundit too. I know how easy it is to talk.”

He doubled down on United’s ambitions, emphasizing that success might not come immediately but remains the club’s ultimate objective.

“Our goal is to win the Premier League. Maybe it won’t happen with me, but that’s the aim—for the club, for the board. We want to restore United to its former glory, just like the legends who built this club did in the past. If I were naive, I wouldn’t be here, coaching Manchester United at 40 years old.”

Speaking as a BBC pundit, Rooney suggested Amorim’s remarks were unrealistic given United’s current struggles.

“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,” Rooney remarked.

United’s FA Cup dream ended in heartbreak, despite Bruno Fernandes scoring a second-half equalizer to cancel out Calvin Bassey’s opener. In the penalty shootout, Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee saw their spot-kicks saved by Bernd Leno, sending Fulham through to the quarter-finals.

Amorim also came to the defense of André Onana, who drew criticism for delaying goal-kicks instead of pushing for a late winner in normal time.

“It’s frustration from André. He’s trying to read the team,” Amorim explained. “We were exhausted—remember, we played the last game with 10 men after Patrick Dorgu’s red card. He was just buying the team a bit of time to recover before pushing for a second goal.”

Meanwhile, Fulham boss Marco Silva praised his goalkeeper’s heroics, calling Leno “one of the best in the Premier League.”

United now face an added blow, with Harry Maguire a doubt for upcoming fixtures after being forced off with an injury.

With the FA Cup run over, Amorim must now regroup and refocus as United aim to salvage their season in the Premier League and Europa League.