Ruben Amorim hits back at Rooney–Neville criticism, vows to fix form before Sunderland

Ruben Amorim has responded to high-profile criticism from Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, insisting results speak for themselves while rejecting any hangover from last season. The Manchester United head coach noted his side have played six games this term and lost three, accepting scrutiny as part of the job but stressing the focus is on immediate improvement. Ahead of the Sunderland clash, United are set to observe a minute’s silence and wear black armbands in tribute after a tragic attack in the city. Fans are split: some demand tactical changes and correct player selections, others urge patience with the project.

During United’s pre-match press conference ahead of the Sunderland fixture, Ruben Amorim addressed questions about recent form and prominent pundit criticism. Club plans for a pre-game minute’s silence and black armbands were also outlined as a mark of respect following a tragic incident in the city. Supporter discussions across major fan channels highlighted tactical debates, team selection calls, and broader sentiment regarding the season’s trajectory.

🚨🗣️ Ruben Amorim on criticism from Rooney and Neville: "It’s normal. You cannot run away from the results, and then you have the baggage from last season. Last season doesn’t matter. We’ve had six games this season and lost three. It’s your job to make the opinions." #MUFC

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

Amorim’s remarks draw a clear line between accountability and narrative. Publicly acknowledging three losses in six matches concedes that performance has fallen short, but his assertion that last season “doesn’t matter” is a deliberate attempt to reset framing and insulate a new campaign from inherited baggage. That matters. If the dressing room believes the slate is clean, it encourages buy-in for tactical adjustments and reduces the psychological drag that often compounds dips in form.

On the pitch, the debate centers on structure and selection. References to a 3-4-3 shape suggest a search for balance between pressing lanes and buildup width, yet supporters perceive miscasting in key roles. If the wingbacks are not naturally progressive, the system starves the front line; if the midfield pivots are not press-resistant, transitions fracture. Amorim’s acceptance of scrutiny telegraphs that tweaks are coming, even if he did not disclose specifics.

Off the pitch, the planned minute’s silence and black armbands place the match within a somber civic context. Such moments concentrate focus and can unify players and fans, often sharpening a team’s competitive edge. In aggregate, Amorim’s posture—owning results, pushing forward, and honoring the occasion—positions United for a response game. The test is execution: a coherent press, cleaner zones in buildup, and selections that fit roles rather than reputations.

Reaction

Fan sentiment is fractured and loud. A sizable group is pleading for basics: play specialists in their best positions and stop forcing square pegs into round holes. One voice crystallized it: “Please… play the right players in their right positions.” That thread is echoed by those wary of systemic rigidity—particularly the 3-4-3—arguing it accentuates weaknesses more than strengths at this moment.

Another cohort is fixated on trends: strong performances against big sides followed by flat displays versus lesser-ranked opponents. They cite last season’s rhythm—highs at Arsenal or Anfield, lows in the very next outing—as proof the inconsistency is structural, not incidental. Some even reference perceived squad upgrades (names like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo surface in fan chatter) to argue there’s no excuse for repeating old patterns.

There’s also a contrarian flank dismissing pundit commentary as noise, insisting opinions “don’t count” and the only currency is the scoreboard. Alongside tactics talk, supporter channels amplified plans for a pre-match tribute—minute’s silence and black armbands—which has tempered the discourse with respect and collective focus. Humor pokes through—quips about the 3-4-3 and cheeky jabs—but the core mood is clear: demand for visible, immediate adjustments.

Social reactions

How about you resign like you said clown?

pp6 (@utdIC3y)

This guy is saying last season doesn't matter with a straight face, what a gaslighter

Zipho Wophula (@mrwophula_zipho)

"last season doesn't matter"

™ (@TDNutd)

Prediction

Expect Amorim to moderate rather than abandon his principles. A pragmatic tweak toward a back four—either a 4-2-3-1 or a lopsided 4-3-3—would stabilize rest defense and simplify roles. The near-term priority is coherence: a double pivot to ease first-phase buildup, clearer wing roles to stretch the block, and one bona fide link player between lines. Even within a 3-4-3, he can mitigate risk by selecting a true ball-progressor at wingback and a press-resistant eight.

Personnel-wise, anticipate at least two meritocratic calls that reward form over profile. That could mean restoring balance by prioritizing ball security and set-piece threat over pure dynamism. Expect earlier in-game changes; Amorim will likely trim the window between warning signs and substitutions to prevent momentum swings.

Scenario A: Early goal plus compact distances out of possession yields a routine, confidence-building win and a muted week of headlines. Scenario B: Profligacy returns, the press gets stretched, and a tense final half-hour invites chaos—Amorim then leans on game-state substitutions to salvage control. Either way, his public stance suggests he intends to seize the narrative with selections that make the plan obvious on the pitch.

Latest today

• Mbappé defends Lamine Yamal, urges patience: "He’ll define his own path" Mbappé defends Lamine Yamal, urges patience: "He’ll define his own path"
• Rival view: Fermín López’s ‘progress’ won’t beat the clock — Girona return looks doubtful Rival view: Fermín López’s ‘progress’ won’t beat the clock — Girona return looks doubtful
• Wojciech Szczęsny embraces ‘secondary’ role: Juventus veteran vows to stay ready in Di Gregorio era Wojciech Szczęsny embraces ‘secondary’ role: Juventus veteran vows to stay ready in Di Gregorio era
• Barcelona poised to strike on 2026 expiries: Guéhi, Upamecano and Vlahović headline smart shortlist Barcelona poised to strike on 2026 expiries: Guéhi, Upamecano and Vlahović headline smart shortlist

Conclusion

Amorim has chosen the only viable lane: accept the drift, own the results, and reframe the season on his terms. The credibility he gains by refusing to hide behind last year’s story buys him a narrow window—one or two fixtures—to show a cleaner structure and braver selections. The Sunderland match, wrapped in a solemn pre-game tribute, demands clarity and control more than spectacle. Get the distances right. Reduce self-inflicted transitions. Let specialists do specialist things.

The fanbase, while divided on methods, is aligned on outcomes: visible progress now. Pundit heat from figures like Rooney and Neville is inevitable at a club of this scale; the antidote is not rhetoric but repetition—performances that look the same on good days and bad. If Amorim’s adjustments translate into a steadier baseline, the noise will recede. If not, the conversation will swiftly graduate from tactics to tenure. Tonight’s response is the first brushstroke on that canvas.