Wayne Rooney tells ‘naïve’ Ruben Amorim to lower expectations after Man Utd boss insists 'the goal is to win the Premier League' after FA Cup exit

United's terrible season got even worse as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham following defeat in a penalty shootout at Old Trafford. However, after the game Amorim insisted that United still had big ambitions and said their aim was to win the Premier League again. And Rooney, United's all-time top goalscorer, shot down that claim while analysing the game for the BBC.

Rooney said: "He says winning the Premier League, how can they compete? To get further up the table, I think that's the next step for them. Managers aren't getting that time over the last 10/15 years. You have to be selfish as a manager and say 'okay, if I don't do it now I might not get that time.' I think it's a little naïve to say they're looking to win the Premier League because from where they are now, they're a long way off that."

United's top directors including INEOS' director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford have been working on 'Mission 21', the club's plan to win their 21st English league title by 2028. The club are also plotting to deliver a first Women's Super League title by the same deadline. And Amorim referred to that plan when he told the BBC after the FA Cup exit: "The goal is to win the Premier League. I know that we are losing games but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don't know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what. it's impossible to know but you start understanding the players are better and we understand the league. We'll see in the future."

Amorim was informed of Rooney's comments in the post-match press conference and he fired back at the former player, who was sacked by Plymouth Argyle last year and had a miserable spell in charge of Birmingham City in 2023. Amorim said: "That is the goal, to be naïve is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender for the next season. I know that in this moment everyone knows everything. Being a pundit is really easy. Maybe it is not with me but our goal is to win the Premier League. I am not naïve that is why I am here at 40 years old coaching Manchester United."

With United out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and sitting in 14th in the Premier League with almost no chance of qualifying for Europe via their league position, the Europa League is the only thing left fighting for. The Red Devils take on Real Sociedad in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday although they have a depleted squad after Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro came off injured against Fulham, with Amad Diallo, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez among the players who have been ruled out for the long term.