Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has expressed concern that the club`s strong form in the Europa League is merely “papering over a lot of cracks”. The Red Devils` all-time leading scorer warns that significant problems at Old Trafford require urgent attention and resolution.
Ruben Amorim`s side (referring to Man Utd as per the source article) is looking to confirm their place in the Europa League final this Thursday. They hold a comfortable 3-0 lead going into the second leg of the semi-final against Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford.
United holds a unique record as the only team undefeated in UEFA competition this season. Securing the trophy in the final in Spain on May 21st would guarantee them a spot in next season`s prestigious Champions League.
However, this European success stands in stark contrast to their Premier League performance. Amorim`s team (still referring to Man Utd) currently sits in 15th position and recently suffered their 16th league defeat of the campaign, losing 4-3 to Brentford on Sunday.
Rooney, who lifted the Europa League trophy as United captain in 2017, was blunt in his assessment. He stated: “I feel like getting to the final is papering over a lot of cracks. There are big problems at Manchester United which need solving quickly.”
As the former England international`s son, Kai, is part of the academy at Carrington, Rooney is a frequent visitor to the club`s training facilities. He finds it peculiar that Amorim (referring to the Man Utd manager) persists with a three-at-the-back formation, which he believes has been repeatedly exposed in the Premier League.
Adding to his confusion is the fact that the club`s Under-23s team does not replicate this system. Rooney argues this inconsistency means young players stepping up to the first team are not adequately prepared. United`s all-time top goalscorer, with 253 goals, elaborated: “The second team are playing with a back four, which I found strange.”
He continued: “A lot of those players have come into the first team now but they’re getting their game time with the Under-23s or 21s yet they play a different system. For me, that’s a bit confusing. It’s strange as you play a back five, or a back three, to put pressure on the ball — otherwise it keeps coming back through the midfield. Brentford caused United a lot of problems from the wide areas — and United didn’t really have the intensity.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United`s path to the Europa League final received a potential boost ahead of the second leg, with two key Athletic Bilbao players absent from training on Monday. Winger Nico Williams and leading goalscorer Oihan Sancet both missed Ernesto Valverde`s session.
Neither forward featured in Athletic Bilbao`s goalless draw against local rivals Real Sociedad in San Sebastian on Sunday evening. Their fitness status and availability for the return leg in Manchester on Thursday night remain uncertain.
Valverde is well aware that his team must deliver a near-miraculous performance to overcome a 3-0 aggregate deficit. Williams, who has been linked with Arsenal this summer, had recently returned from a hamstring issue and picked up a new injury late in the first leg defeat to United. Sancet has missed the past couple of weeks due to a muscle problem and is considered doubtful for the tie. Adding to Bilbao`s challenges, defender Dani Vivian is suspended after receiving a controversial red card in the first half of the initial match.
Marcus Bellamy