Manchester United beat Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Boxing Day despite having their lowest percentage of percentage in any Premier League game this season
Wayne Rooney says Manchester United need to strengthen their squad during the winter transfer window if they are to qualify for the Champions League.
United had five academy players – Bendito Mantato, Jack Fletcher, Shea Lacey, Tyler Fletcher and Tyler Fredricson – among their substitutes for the match against Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Altay Bayindir, Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee and Tyrell Malacia were the only first-team options on the bench.
Rooney believes the options Ruben Amorim can call on need bolstering, saying: “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.”
Injuries to Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Kobbie Mainoo have depleted the squad Amorim can select. Mason Mount also had to come off at half-time against Newcastle.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui are also absent, representing their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations. Those three will return at some point in the New Year, with the tournament concluding on 18 January.
Rooney was far from impressed by the display against Newcastle. He said on Match of the Day: “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.”
He continued: “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.”
Amorim has also acknowledged that the team did not play very well. He said after the match: “We played two games in one. We had to suffer, all together, in the stadium and in the game.
“It was really difficult for us. We did good in the first half, but, in the second half, we just defend and try to do something with [Matheus] Cunha.
“We had our opportunities with transitions, but it was a good win. I had so many games here, saying we played really well but didn’t get the three points.
“Today was the opposite. We suffered together and managed to win the game.”
The January transfer window opens on January 1 – so this coming Thursday – and shuts on February 2.
