Rooney slams Amorim tactics as he says UEL final would only ‘paper over cracks’

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.