Wayne Rooney has expressed deep concern over the current state of Manchester United, claiming the club has lost its identity and that he lacks confidence in manager Ruben Amorim’s ability to reverse its fortunes.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show podcast on the BBC, United’s all-time leading scorer didn’t hold back, describing the club as "broken" and admitting that he now attends matches “expecting” them to lose.

Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Brentford marked another low point, with United sitting 14th in the Premier League. Under Amorim, the team has earned just 34 points from 33 league matches and has yet to secure back-to-back victories this season.

Despite this, the club’s hierarchy is reportedly continuing to back Amorim, who was appointed last November following consecutive league titles with Sporting Lisbon. However, Rooney believes both the squad and the structure need major change.

“I am not seeing anything which is giving me any confidence, there needs to be big changes in my opinion,” said Rooney, who won five league titles in 13 seasons at Old Trafford. “Manager, players, whatever that is. Whatever it takes to get Manchester United back.”

The former England captain also criticised the attitude of some players, stating that a number of them “don’t deserve to wear the shirt,” and described the squad as needing “a new engine.” He added that fans are “waiting for the club to crumble.”

Rooney also touched on broader issues within the club, noting how recent off-field changes have impacted its culture.

“The soul has gone from the club. It needs a new engine, a new lease of life. It needs something to kickstart that football club,” he said. “We're seeing staff members getting sacked after 20, 30 years who are very important people to that football club.”

"I don't recognise the whole football club,” he continued. “I don't see players fighting, I don't see character, I don't see desire to win. I go to a game watching, expecting, here we go again — expecting the team to lose or maybe pick up a point.”

Reflecting on the situation, Rooney called for clarity from the club's ownership. “There needs to be a clear message from the owners,” he said. “Whether that is the Glazers, [minority owner] Sir Jim Ratcliffe, there has to be a message of where this club is going. At the minute we are all sitting there waiting for it to crumble.”

Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group, which acquired a 27.7% stake in February 2024 for £1.25 billion ($1.6 billion), has taken charge of football operations, while the Glazer family retains majority ownership. In recent years, the club’s staff has been reduced from 1,100 to 700 amid a wave of controversial redundancies.

Rooney shared personal concerns too, revealing: “I’ve got two kids [in the academy] at that football club and I really hope this doesn't affect what they're doing. What I'm seeing at that football club is not Manchester United.”

Manchester United’s current poor run includes an eight-game winless streak away from home in the Premier League — their worst such run since 2019. The last time they managed consecutive league wins was between May and August 2024.

Following the Brentford defeat, Amorim downplayed any job security concerns, stating: “I am never concerned about my job — I am not that kind of guy.”

However, his persistence with a 3-4-2-1 formation has drawn criticism. On Match of the Day, Micah Richards warned that Amorim’s tactical stubbornness could lead to “his undoing,” while Alan Shearer said the manager was lucky to still be in charge.

Rooney, who also managed at clubs like Derby County and Birmingham City, acknowledged the challenges Amorim faces but questioned his suitability.

“I have tried my hand in management and it didn’t work out too well, I get it,” he said. “Ruben Amorim is my age, he is still a young manager and I’m sure he still has a massive future, but what’s going on at Man Utd, this is not Man Utd.”

“I honestly hope he can turn it round and he does. But if you're saying to me, ‘do you believe he will?’, then, after everything I’ve seen, honestly, I’ve got no faith in it.”