Manchester United have set a "top six" target next season - but something will have to change
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim(Image: Getty )
Manchester United have vowed to work towards getting a "top six" position in the Premier League next season, after suffering a brutal campaign under the leadership of Ruben Amorim - and Manchester Evening News readers in our comments section are unsure whether it's the manager, players, or the system that will have to go to make that happen.
Amorim has stuck to his guns on the issue of his system, including the three-at-the-back formation, despite it coming under heavy criticism early on. Any suggestion of changing it is met with a stark refusal.
An undefeated run in the Europa League this season has offered a window into what Amorim's system is supposed to be like, but it has been brutally unpicked at times in the Premier League, with the team on relegation form. United must now decide how much to commit to the summer transfer window to improve their fortunes - going all in on Amorim and not seeing enough improvement could leave the following manager with similar issues.
Some say that United should source a new manager for next season, come what may. Reader Gemini0806 says: "Amorim has yet to convince. Would you spend £200m of your money to buy players for a manager who has taken the Team from 8th to 17th in 6 months? If we are still bottom half by Christmas, do you stick with him or get someone else in, who will want more money to buy his own players? I think the percentage call is to get rid after the Final."
Commenter Dambuster007 agrees: "It is clear. The system will not work. We should not commit a transfer window to Amorim and his tactics. We need a change. We should not wait until we see how bad next season gets. A new manager will be harder to get then."
Sirgreenmantle writes: "The system is irrelevant. What is relevant is Ruben's failure to coach his players to play it effectively enough to get results. If we played 4:3:3 and had similar results, the same criticisms would apply.
"People say there isn't a plan B. That could be true or, equally, there is one but he has decided not to use it. Either way it is a universal truth that it is results and performances, not choice of systems, that decide a coach's fate.
"What will give him time now, which the so-called elite clubs probably wouldn't provide, is the fact that the credibility of the new Executive team is hanging by a thread. It cost a fortune to recruit Amorim and his team and would cost another to sack him."
New personnel, fresh perspectives, or some flexibility could turn things around for Amorim. 1954brad says: "It's the mindset that needs changing, the constant need to go backwards even when a player has space or a forward pass is on. Just look how many goals conceded when we do this.
"The confidence of the strikers is shot, when you look at opportunities created and not taken, and the shocked look on Hojlund's face when he actually scored against Athletic was telling, he couldn't believe he'd really done it. The summer window is massive, striker, keeper and creative midfielder are essential, or relegation beckons."
Captainmarvellous writes: "This system works well for Palace and Wolves because it's based on attacking after the transition in the middle of the park especially with attacking wing backs like Munoz for Palace and Ait-Nouri for Wolves.
"It's a counter attacking formation, it doesn't suit possession based football. This is why experience is important, Glasner and Pereira don't have rigid ideologies, they play a system which suits their players and needs."
Steviweavi says: "The system isn't the problem, the players are. Look at last season and prior to Amorim taking over. Its ridiculous people thought he'd wave his magic wand and we'd be in the CL. Its obvious there's a huge disconnect from what happens on the training field and on match day. There's no point in Amorim continuously slating the players, he has to work with what he's got for now, although he did get rid of Rashford and Anthony.
"If you compare our current players to every other team in the PL, we put in zero effort, we frequently get caught sleeping in defence, and we couldn't hit a barn door in front of goal. The only bonus about winning the Europa League is the cash injection from being in the CL, nothing more. We need to concentrate on competing in the PL and cups first."
Have your say! Should United go all in on backing Ruben Amorim in the summer transfer window? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.