Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United’s current squad depth is ‘not sustainable’ and has urged the club to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s side in the January transfer window.
United have moved into sixth in the Premier League after their 1-0 victory at home to Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Ruben Amorim was missing several key figures for the game against Newcastle with Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire all absent, while five academy players were on the bench.
Jack Fletcher, son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, and Tyler Fredricson both featured in the second half against Newcastle as Amorim’s side were forced to survive an onslaught from Newcstle.
United are looking to sign a new central midfielder with Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton all on the club’s shortlist, and Rooney feels his former side need to provide Amorim with more options in the upcoming window.
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‘I was worried when I saw the performance, if I’m honest,’ Rooney said on BBC’s Match of the Day when asked about United’s win over Newcastle.
‘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.
‘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.’
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