Wayne Rooney reveals what's really hurting Man United and West Ham - 'it's not the manager'
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Credit: Getty/Imago/Hasan Karim - Breaking Media
Alex Oakhill
Mon 22 September 2025 9:43, UK
Manchester United and West Ham United have both endured difficult starts to the season with their managers now under pressure.
Ruben Amorim managed to lift the weight off his shoulders slightly on Saturday (20 September) evening, as Man United beat Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford.
As for Graham Potter, it was yet more misery as West Ham fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace, leaving the East London side in the Premier League relegation zone.
Despite the Red Devils and the Hammers having differing results over the weekend, their current situations have more in common than some might think.
Credit: Imago
On Sunday (21 September), Football Insider revealed that Potter is now under big sack pressure at West Ham, with the hierarchy exploring potential alternatives to the former Brighton and Chelsea boss.
The Hammers have won just one game this season, and there is now massive discontent within the fanbase, at the club’s owners as well as the manager.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Man United and England striker claimed that West Ham are having the same issues as the Red Devils, with consistently changing philosophies.
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Rooney said: “Brentford and Brighton have a clear way of playing.
They have their own philosophy regardless of who the manager is, and they stick to that, and that’s why you’ve seen a progression with those clubs.
“What’s happening at West Ham at the minute is that David (Moyes) had a completely different philosophy to Graham Potter and to Slaven Bilic before.
When you’re changing from philosophy to philosophy, which is what Man United have been doing in terms of Ten Hag and now Amorim, it takes time to get players out and then in.
“Before you know it, that manager doesn’t get the results and they’re gone, and then you’re back to square one.
For the club to have a good foundation would help.”
Meanwhile, West Ham are unlikely to accelerate their pursuit of Coventry City manager Frank Lampard if Potter is sacked, sources have told Football Insider.
West Ham are unlikely to move for Lampard (Credit Imago)
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 5 September that West Ham have sounded out Lampard as an option to replace their current boss.
However, the Hammers are unlikely to step up their interest in their former midfielder, given the fans’ likely reaction.
Instead, they are planning to assess other options, with the likes of Kieran McKenna and Nuno Espirito Santo on their list of potential targets.
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