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.”
Bernd Leno saves from Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee to win the penalty shootout. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
Bruno Fernandes’s second‑half goal levelled out Calvin Bassey’s opener just before half‑time before Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee had their spot-kicks saved by Bernd Leno, sending Fulham through.
Amorim defended André Onana who, rather than quickly start an attack to search for a winner in normal time, dawdled over a 78th‑minute goal‑kick and then did the same later. “It is also frustration for André, he is trying to read the team,” Amorim said, before referencing the midweek defeat of Ipswich when Patrick Dorgu was sent off before half-time.
“Our team was so tired, we played the last game with one less player in the second half and he is using that time to rest a bit for us to go for the second goal.”
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Fulham now play Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals. Their manager, Marco Silva, hailed his goalkeeper’s penalty saves. “Bernd Leno [is] one of the best in the Premier League in my opinion.”
Harry Maguire is an injury concern for United after being forced off.
