WAYNE ROONEY fears Manchester United’s Europa League form is "papering over a lot of cracks".
And the Red Devils’ all-time leading scorer says there are big problems at Old Trafford which need to be solved — and soon.
Ruben Amorim’s men hope to seal a place in the final by defending their 3-0 lead against Athletic Bilbao in Thursday’s semi-final, second-leg tie at Old Trafford on Thursday.
United are the only unbeaten side in Uefa competition this season, and lifting the trophy in Spain on May 21 would earn them a place in next season’s Champions League.
Yet their form in the Prem has been in stark contrast and Amorim’s 15th-placed side slumped to their 16th defeat of the season in the 4-3 loss at Brentford on Sunday.
Rooney — who lifted the Europa League trophy as United captain in 2017 — said: “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.”
The former England striker’s son Kai is in the academy at Carrington, so he is a regular visitor to the training HQ.
Rooney admits he finds it odd that Amorim is sticking to the three-at-the-back system which has been exposed countless times in the Premier League.
And it is even more puzzling because United’s Under-23s are not doing the same — meaning the players who step in to the first team are not ready.
Rooney, who hit 253 goals for United, added: “The second team are playing with a back four, which I found strange.
“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.”
However, the Red Devils’ Europa League hopes have been given a big boost, with Athletic Bilbao’s two star men missing training on Monday.
Winger Nico Williams and top scorer Oihan Sancet were both absent as Ernesto Valverde put his players through their paces.
Neither forward featured in the goalless draw with derby rivals Real Sociedad in San Sebastian on Sunday night.
And it remains touch and go whether they will be passed fit to fly to England tomorrow ready for Thursday night’s return leg in Manchester.
Valverde knows there is little margin for error if his team are to perform a miracle and come back from 3-0 down.
Williams, who is a summer target for Arsenal, has just returned from a hamstring problem and was subbed late on in the defeat to United with a new injury.
Sancet has missed the last couple of weeks with a muscle problem and is viewed as doubtful.
Defender Dani Vivian is also unavailable after his controversial first-half red card in the first leg.
Augustine⭐
0
Rooney should be the last person criticizing any Coach cause we know his story at Derby County and Plymouth, he should keep shut.
Zaueiknpy
0
We saw what your own tactics gave you. Big mouth
😂😂😂😂 He talks a lot yet being sack from different clubs
Feyacdilnz
1
The system of Amorim is risky, but let's hope we start the season well. I agree with Rooney, we can be in trouble.
Metbdeimst
1
We saw what your own tactics gave you. Big mouth
SaddeeqShehu
3
this Rooney na mumu Oo
EmeraldJ
3
How many clubs has this dude relegated again? There are certain truths that certain persons are not qualified to say... What he's saying is a fact but he's not in any way qualified to cast aspersions at Amorim after failing over and over again as a coach
datadeiot
4
Rooney failed tactics and relegated 😂😂😂😂
sikbcdisyz
2
Definitely understanding a kind of a person he is afraid of risks and not embracing possibilities simple 💯
NirtyAndrews
2
I knew it this self centered bafoone never has non good to say about anyone the last time he said something good about cr7 it took him till now to say some about someone. why is he so bitter? he has failed to couch a decision 3 team now he want to say shit about someone who is trying? he is just bitter coz someone who is older than him is looking younger than him
bodabdemoz
1
how can some who has relegated every team he has managed, including championship teams, fault a successful manager
pabbdosty
1
Rooney can’t coach high school so shut up
handkmnrt
2
Rooney better to keep quiet when it comes to coaching you know nothing
joshuasaini
0
Rooney should just sleep
JosephH2006_
1
Rooney can't even coach in the MLS [5percent]
Cisdiklpry
2
Rooney to be Manchester United coach
Jowadmnprt
0
complain about Rooney as a manager all you want, but not playing the same tactics through the ranks is ludicrous. All the top academies are doing that and it doesnt make sense that we are not.
leybeikmuz
1
so even failures are allowed to comment on football tactics? is Rooney not supposed to be learning a lot from successful coaches like amorim? what has he achieved since he started coaching
Sundeilmpr
1
Who is Rooney to talk about tactics abeg. failed as tactician how many times?
Ancientman
2
As far as football management is concerned Wayne Rooney does not know what he's talking about. I mean he has relegated four teams in his short management stints.
Siwbilrtuy
1
Look at somebody criticizing tactics. What have you Rooney achieved as a Coach? These so called United legends need to be mindful of their hateful speeches to our club and coaches.
Ludaemnsz
0
ROONNY is right , since ever AMORIM took over MU , the team has gone to the WORST, AMORIM playing system is not working, he suppose to change its as first as possible. so many PL managers has try that's same style of play but did not success. As Stand's right now AMORIM is the worst coach that's has ever coached MU , his system have been successful in the UEL but if MU success to reach the final with TOTTENHAM on the FINAL TOTTENHAM will be MU because the 343 system dose not work with the PL CLUBS
Ritbcemnot
1
so even failures have a right to speak.. you have already failed as a coach so u don't need to blame someone on things regarding tactics and management.
Gberto
0
Those who criticize Rooney are not fans of Man United or don't want the team's progress. If team B is not playing 3 defenders, why should the first team be doing that. short term solutions will never solve Man United's problems. It time for the management of this team try to propose concrete solutions like the one Ralf Ragnick presented "open heart surgery"
muhaeilmrt
0
jst stop wat u are saying Rooney u are not even a couch
Roubclopu
2
You that fail as a manager
Fezbeklmoy
4
you have never manage any club and be successful, yet you are talking about tactics, why didn't you use those your tactics when you were given an opportunity to couch. you flop.
Baoeiklmnr
1
Rooney speaking about coaches???
Mayhem87
2
this fool is busy relegating teams as he likes, but his problem is Amorim......I think most of our so called ex-players needs Manchester United to keep on losing so as to solidify there own legacy
LegendaryItachi
0
See who's talking here ... this Man should learn something from Lampard and stop the nonsense talking
Lampard is even way better than Rooney
Zuoblmsuy
2
says someone who's done horribly bad as a football coach so far 🙄
nuwckotuz
1
A good point from rooney
Bokacdilot
2
See who’s talking why tactics were you using when you were fired bu Plymouth
adedefender
4
Rooney has no right to criticize any coach in the world of football because he knows absolutely nothing about coaching. He has failed as a coach countless number of times with both tactics and management, so he should just shut up his mouth and learn from other coaches
lbcrna
1
we can all see that Amorim has succeeded in making this team worst, other teams like Wolves, crystal palace have have done well with three defense but I don't know why it's taking Amorim several month to implement his system. if crystal palace can do it within short time then why not united
OverloadElidemaskino
1
Amorim's Tactics are shit hole they don't suit EPL I don't support them at all
Rinkachi2221
0
Focus on your own managerial career..
rasbdimru
0
same Rooney who is capable of relegating any team? he can't even watch his weight
SAH7
0
lol who's talking 😂🤣😂
zoaabcotz
0
Coming From Ronny who has been a failure as a coach, he has relegated three clubs
tiobdepru
2
the only experience Rooney has is to relegate clubs.
pocabemoy
0
I fully agree with MrRooney.You don't have to be a good coach to see the glaring mistakes at United. Even a blind person can see it. This guy has no idea
Lkshiar
0
shame on u too ,what's has Rooney achieved so far as a coach
What he had achieved is 0 trophy and a relegation nothing more.
pocbdklpy
0
They sit there and talk rubbish about coaches while they can't even manage academy team
pocbdklpy
0
If Mr. Rooney had coached Man U, they would have been relegated by now
shame on u too ,what's has Rooney achieved so far as a coach
pocbdklpy
0
forget the guy ,as a coach what's has he achieved so far
William379
1
Says someone who couldn't even manage a Championship side.
Muyablnptz
0
Rooney is just a scam to football
unknownpersons
0
lol.. what did rooney got when he manage a club? he only know how to relegate a club.. and now he slam a tactic from another coach that got the team to play in semis? he must be drunk or high [Crylaugh]
wutbceikmr
1
I agree with Rooney. stop this 3 back shit. it doesn't fit the Epl. May be it was good in Portugal. shit coach
Lkshiar
1
If Mr. Rooney had coached Man U, they would have been relegated by now