I m not naive Amorim says as Rooney criticises Man United coach s title ambitions

MANCHESTER – Manager Ruben Amorim said winning the English Premier League remains the goal for a struggling Manchester United, despite former Red Devils forward Wayne Rooney saying the Portuguese was “naive” to say that.

United, who last won the league in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson, crashed out of the FA Cup on March 2 after losing to Fulham in penalties at Old Trafford.

Amorim, who joined United in November, said they remained committed to their goal of winning the league despite poor results.

“I know we’re losing games, but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don’t know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what,” Amorim told the BBC after the defending champions failed to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Rooney, who won the league five times with United during his playing career, said his former side, who are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, have a long way to go before they challenge for the league title.

“I think it’s a little naive to say they’re looking to win the Premier League because, from where they are now, they’re a long way off that,” he said on the BBC’s Match Of The Day.

“He says winning the Premier League, how can they compete? To get further up the table, I think that’s the next step for them.”

When a reporter asked Amorim about Rooney’s comments, the manager insisted that winning the league remains the club’s goal, even if it does not happen in the near future.

“That is the goal. To be naive is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender next season. I know in this moment, everybody knows everything. I was a pundit... I