Manchester United FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd face Tottenham this weekend (Picture: Getty)
Paul Merson has slammed Ruben Amorim over a baffling decision and predicted more misery for Manchester United this weekend against Tottenham.
Spurs and United are separated by just two points ahead of Sunday’s clash in north London.
In years gone by that may have suggested both clubs were in a battle for the Champions League spots or even the title but two of the biggest clubs in the Premier League are in fact in the bottom-half of the table.
Merson says the loser of Sunday’s game will be in ‘big trouble’ and urged Amorim to ‘change things up’ and deviate from his preferred formation and philosophy.
The ex-Arsenal and England winger has also criticised Amorim for playing new Manchester United signing Patrick Dorgu in an ‘unnatural position’ on his debut.
United spent just under £30m to sign Dorgu from Lecce in January but Amorim surprisingly opted to play him on the right in last week’s FA Cup win over Leicester City, with right-footed Diogo Dalot staying on the left.
‘Whoever loses this game is in big trouble,’ Merson told Sportskeeda. ‘I don’t even know where to start because both Tottenham and Manchester United are as bad as each other!
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Struggling Tottenham play host to United (Picture: Getty)
‘Spurs can point to their injuries, but what’s United’s excuse at the moment? Ruben Amorim has to change things up.
‘I know he has been true to his philosophy but he needs to realise the players available at Old Trafford are not fit to play that way.
‘You can’t stay adamant like this at the cost of losing games! Next year, when you have the right players for your system, try it out.
Manchester United v Leicester City - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
January signing Patrick Dorgu in action for Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
‘I saw him put the new kid Patrick Dorgu in an unnatural position on his debut. I mean, what is this?
‘I’d be shocked if Manchester United win this game. I think Spurs have the better forwards and that will end up being the difference between the sides.
‘This is United we’re talking about and they should be smashing Tottenham in an ideal world. But I can’t even seem them beating Palace at the moment, how can I expect them to win this game then?’
While Manchester United clinched a fortuitous victory over Leicester last time out, Tottenham are preparing to host the Red Devils off the back of two cup defeats in four days.
Ange Postecoglou’s injury-plagued side lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals before being knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa.
Spurs have won just one of their last eight Premier League games to slip to 14th in the table, ten points above the relegation zone.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: The reason Kim Jong-un has banned coverage of Spurs and two other Premier League clubs
MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal star has volunteered to solve striker crisis
MORE: Leicester vs Arsenal: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injuries