Manchester United's poor set of results under Ruben Amorim continues and former players have continued to call on the Portuguese coach to change his rigid philosophy
Ruben Amorim has continued to stick by his philosophy despite Man Utd's poor run of results
Ruben Amorim has continued to stick by his philosophy despite Man Utd's poor run of results
(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt insists Ruben Amorim will have to "bite the bullet and change" if he wants to be a success at Old Trafford. His ex-team-mate Paul Scholes is doubling down and claiming the system he plays is "easy to work out".
The Portuguese boss oversaw another defeat at the weekend as Manchester City secured a dominant win in the Manchester derby. Much of the talk centres around the 3-4-3 formation that Amorim refuses to change, despite it bringing him little to shout about since arriving at Old Trafford.
He previously enjoyed success with it at Sporting Lisbon and has frequently said the club will have to sack him if they want to play a different way. Amorim's philosophy has continued to be picked apart, owing in part to the personnel in midfield and the lack of natural wing-backs.
The United boss rejected claims his two-man midfield was over run by City on Sunday, but Butt is adamant that the players he picks cannot get around the pitch effectively enough and a change is needed if he wants to start winning games.
He told ‘The Good the Bad and the Football’ podcast: “Forget the system for a minute, the players are not at the level they need to be, not quick enough, not aggressive enough. The two lads in midfield, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, they’ve not got the legs to do it in a three, let alone a two
“If he wants to get results and keep his job in the long run, he is going to have to bite the bullet and change a bit – otherwise they’ll keep losing games.
“You look at Pep Guardiola he’s got a philosophy that is the best anyone football has ever seen, even as a United fan. But even he changes. So he brought Jeremy Doku off the left and put him in the middle – because everyone knows how United will play.”
Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have both aired concerns with Ruben Amorim's decisions
Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have both aired concerns with Ruben Amorim's decisions
(Image: The Good the Bad and the Football)
Amorim's determination to stick by his principles mean United have shown little to no flexibility. Scholes has cited the ease with which that gives opponents to plan for them, given the Red Devils will continue to play in a similar way week to week.
He said: “You talk about his philosophy, his style of play, the way he wants to play. There’s so many clever coaches in England and around the world, they work it out quite easily. They know exactly how United are going to play every week.
“When the team sheet comes through an hour before the game you always wonder how your opponents are going to play, five at the back, four at the back? With Amorim, you know, everybody knows. It’s easy to play against and easy to work out as the coaches are that clever. Anyone in the Premier League can beat us.”
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