Wayne Rooney pinpoints huge problem Ruben Amorim has on his hands after Newcastle win | OneFootball

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has insisted that the club’s squad depth is unsustainable and represents a big problem for Ruben Amorim moving forward.

Several players missing

United registered an eighth Premier League victory of the campaign on Friday when they beat Newcastle 1-0, but it didn’t come easily and they had to do it without many of their key players.

Skipper Bruno Fernandes missed the clash, having sustained an injury in the previous top-flight clash against Aston Villa.

Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt were also unavailable due to fitness issues, while Amorim couldn’t also call on the services of Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad, with the trio all away with their respective countries for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Amorim was forced to adapt vs. the Magpies, changing his formation and playing players in makeshift roles. Patrick Dorgu for instance, was used in a largely unfamiliar right-wing position. It was Dorgu’s 24th-minute goal that proved decisive at Old Trafford.

United were dealt another setback as Mason Mount was taken off at the break with an apparent injury. Jack Fletcher came on in his place and saw out the rest of the game.

Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, Rooney praised United’s fighting spirit but indicated that their current squad depth is not good enough.

Rooney highlights problem

United’s record goalscorer said [as quoted by the Metro], “I was worried when I saw the performance, if I’m honest.”

“The manager changed the formation and went with a back four, which a lot of people have been asking for, I know they didn’t concede a goal but they didn’t look comfortable and Newcastle were putting them under pressure, especially in the second half.”

“When I look at the squad and the bench, what they’ve got there, they really need players in to try to help them challenge to get into the top four.”

He continued, “Listen, it’s great to see the young players on the bench and getting opportunities but it needs to be at the right time as well, and it’s not, it’s not sustainable at all. They need players in.”

“They’ve obviously lost some important players and Bruno [Fernandes] is a big loss but the home games under Amorim, you look at the possession from the Newcastle game, 33 per cent at Old Trafford, I know when the fans go to that stadium they want to see the team with the ball.”

“They want to see them entertaining, getting crosses in the box and getting shots in. It was a poor performance but they found a way to win.”

United are next in action on Tuesday when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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