EPL

‘You can’t run away from results’, Amorim responds to Rooney’s criticism

Manchester United head coach, Ruben Amorim, has admitted he cannot escape scrutiny over his record, noting it is natural for former players to criticise him.

His comments come after United legend Wayne Rooney told the BBC that “the soul has gone” from the club.

Amorim has managed 49 games for United, winning 18, including just nine of 33 in the Premier League. He is yet to record back-to-back league victories.

Senior sources maintain Sir Jim Ratcliffe still supports the Portuguese, but pressure will intensify if United fail to beat newly promoted Sunderland on Saturday.

“It is normal,” said the Portuguese, when asked about Rooney’s comments. “You can’t run away from the results.

“Then you have the baggage from last season, [although] last season for me doesn’t matter.”

United’s supporters remained behind Amorim following last season’s dismal fare, when they finished 15th in the table, their worst performance since the 1973-74 relegation campaign, and were beaten in the Europa League final, in the belief and hope this season would be substantially better.

Amorim assured fans the situation would improve because he had more time to work with his players without the midweek distraction of European football.

That is not how the first six games have materialised as United have suffered three defeats already and find themselves 14th in the table.

When asked what assurances he could offer supporters that the situation will improve, Amorim added: “It’s not the time to say, it is the time to show.

“I look at the games this season and, for me, they are completely different, but I have nothing to say at this moment.”

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