It has been another garish start to the Premier League season for Manchester United, whose lone win of the campaign came two weeks ago against a newly promoted Burnley side. And even then, they only won 3-2.
After Man United’s latest debacle – an embarrassing blowout to rivals Manchester City – manager Ruben Amorim is coming under more fire for his stubborn tactics and the sloppiness of his team despite another heavy summer of transfer investment.
However, most fans and pundits understand that not all the blame can go to Amorim. The players are making very basic errors that go beyond the manager’s scope, and losses like the one against Grimsby Town in the League Cup simply can’t be ascribed to the coach.
Plus, despite the signing of a trio of top-class attackers in the summer transfer window, a number of key transfer needs remained after the window, and legendary Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is here to remind fans that INEOS isn’t absolved in the blame game either.
He said, via @UtdFaithfuls, “I thought all summer the absolute priority was a centre midfield player with legs, who can play and can control a game. INEOS are as responsible for this mess as Amorim and the players. What were they thinking not to have signed a DM? Shambles.”
Manchester United have been utilizing a midfield pivot in Amorim’s system, except they don’t really have a pivot. Bruno Fernandes has been shoehorned into a deeper role that doesn’t suit the Premier League’s most effective chance creating No. 10.
Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte hasn’t lived up to the billing, Mason Mount continues to sit out with injuries, and Kobbie Mainoo is frustratingly sitting on the bench as a coach’s decision.
Obviously, Amorim alone has to answer for the inane Mainoo snub, but he’s also playing without a real controller in midfield. Manchester United have to addres that need, and Scholes, out of anyone, knows how much that profile of player has been crucial to Man United’s best sides over the last 20-30 years.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2011. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has contributed to sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. Joe’s work has appeared in ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling, respectively.