Ruben Amorim reiterated Manchester United’s goal is to win the Premier League as he hit back at Wayne Rooney’s comments that he was “naive” to talk about that ambition following the FA Cup fifth-round exit to Fulham.
Sunday evening brought another low in a season to forget at Old Trafford, where the side 14th in the Premier League cancelled out Calvin Bassey’s opener through Bruno Fernandes’ fine strike only to lose on penalties.
Bernd Leno saved Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee’s spot-kicks as the Cottagers won the shoot-out 4-3 having ended 1-1 after extra time, leaving the Europa League as United’s only route to silverware and continental qualification.
Amorim said “the goal is to win the Premier League again” in his post-match interview with the BBC, whose pundit Rooney said “it’s a little bit naive to say ‘We’re looking to win the Premier League’ because, from where they are now, they’re a long way off that”.
Those comments were put to Amorim at his post-match press conference as he was asked whether it was realistic to talk about winning the title, and the United head coach said: “That is the goal.
“Being naive is to think that we are going to do it this season or going to be the best contender for the next season.
“So, I know that in this moment everybody knows everything. I know that and it’s really easy – I was a pundit when I finished my career, so 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 winning the Premier League like we did in the past, with all the great glories and the legends of this club.
“We want to do better and we know that we are in a difficult moment. And I’m not naive. That’s why I’m here coaching at 40 years old Manchester United.”
