Wayne Rooney has claimed Manchester United reaching the Europa League final would be ‘papering over cracks’ – and revealed what confuses him about the club.
Ruben Amorim’s side hold a 3-0 aggregate lead over Athletic Bilbao heading into the second leg of their semi-final showdown at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Provided they avoid a shock capitulation, they will go on to face either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt in Bilbao on May 21 as they look to end a horror season on a high.
Amorim has admitted his focus is now firmly on Europe and the potential of qualifying for the Champions League despite languishing in 15th in the Premier League and being consigned to a bottom half finish, having lost 16 of their matches to date.
But Rooney says success in the Europa League would fail to cover up the wider problems at Old Trafford and has urged the club to address them ‘quickly’.
He also believes the lack of a defined play style across the first team and youth sides is hurting the progress of youngsters making up the numbers in Amorim’s squad.
Wayne Rooney says Manchester United’s Europa League success is ‘papering over cracks’
United are 15th in the Premier League but could still qualify for the Champions League
Speaking on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2, Rooney said: ‘I think the second team [United’s U-21s] are playing a back four which I found strange because the second team, a lot of those players will be playing in the first team.
‘A lot of those players have come into the first team now. They’re getting their game time with the U-21s and they’re playing a different system. That’s a bit confusing.
‘Getting to the Europa League final is papering over cracks. There are big problems at Manchester United and that needs solving quickly.’
Amorim has promoted several youth players with United listing in the top-flight, including striker Chido Obi, 17, and defenders Harry Amass, 18, and Tyler Fredricson, 20. Midfielder Toby Collyer, 21, was handed his debut under Erik ten Hag in August.
United’s head coach made eight changes and named the third-youngest side in Premier League history for the 4-3 defeat by Brentford on Sunday and says they must ‘take all the hits’ as they rest and rotate to prioritise the Europa League.
‘I think it’s stressful to lose games,’ said Amorim.
‘[But] when we’re fighting for a title it’s not stressful. I have no doubts that we are playing better and we are understanding the way we play, even in this context.
‘So we have to take all the hits in this moment.
United hold a 3-0 aggregate lead over Athletic Bilbao heading into their semi-final second leg
Amorim has been forced to focus primarily on Europe with United listing in the top-flight
‘We are losing games in the Premier League, but we are fighting for the Europa League so we need to accept that and to think about Thursday now.
‘This is the most important game for us.’
