Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been told to make a key change ahead of next season after enduring a disappointing start to life at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has been told he made an early mistake as Manchester United manager
(Image: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen branded Ruben Amorim "short-sighted" for vowing to stick to his 3-4-3 system, but has provided the United boss with a solution.
Amorim was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s successor at Old Trafford in November. Arriving on the back of his stellar work at Sporting CP, he endured a dismal start to his reign as United manager, finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
The Portuguese coach won just seven of his 27 league games in charge and failed to qualify for European competition. However, Meulensteen, who worked as first team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson, believes many of Amorim’s issues stemmed from his reluctance to move away from the 3-4-3 system.
“I find it, in my personal opinion, a bit short-sighted in that respect,” Meulensteen said on the High Performance podcast. “I think if he worded it differently from the start, he would not have got hunted by it every single day because constantly the media will come back to him. ‘You’re losing again today, is it because of the system?’
“I think he should have said, ‘Listen, I prefer a 3-4-3 system. I had a lot of success with it. I know it can work. I’m going to try to make it work at Manchester United. However, I need to have a look at the squad first. I need to look at how I can best use the players and utilise their strengths because that’s what you need to do. And I need to get to know the Premier League and the opponents and everything.’
“There’s so many variables that have an effect on whether that system is going to work or not,” Meulensteen continued. “So if he would have done that, he would have been more flexible in getting to grips with the size of the task anyway, never mind losing or winning games. Now, when you win games, things become easier, because you can get your message across easier.”
Rene Meulensteen and Sir Alex Ferguson
Rene Meulensteen was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's staff from 2007 to 2013
Meulensteen, who worked under Ferguson for the last six years of his reign, fears that Amorim’s determination to stick to his principles could prove to be an error. However, he has argued that it is not too late for Amorim to change his ways. Instead, the Dutch coach believes that the United boss being tactically flexible would be a sign of strength.
“It is hard to say what kind of advice you would give him, because if he diverts from that, he sees it as a weakness,” Meulensteen admitted. “So that’s why he’s been, maybe, stubborn and stuck to it . ‘I’m going to make it work, no matter what.’
“I don’t think it would be a sign of weakness. He comes across a lot of times as very, very honest.
“Why could you not say, ‘Listen I know I’ve said this. However, the experiences I’ve had over the last few months make me rethink and review. I really think that it is in the best interests of all of us–the team, the squad–-that I tweak a few things.’
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has received advice from Rene Meulenteen
“He has tweaked a few things, when he’s played Garnacho in that number eight role on the left-hand side,” Meulensteen added. “He gave him the leeway to go to the wide areas because that’s where Garnacho’s strength is, and then run at people and come inside.
“I also do think that you never should stick yourself to one particular system, because a system is nothing else than a framework. How you’re going to start the game. The moment the whistle goes, a 4-4-2 flows into a 4-3--3, a 2-4-4, however the game pans out. So that is not the most important thing.”
Whether Amorim makes a tactical switch or not, United face a pivotal summer transfer window as they prepare for next season without the prospect of European football. The club have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are targeting Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.