Amorim’s Scathing Assessment: Man Utd’s Growing Pains Exposed

Ruben Amorim, the mastermind behind Sporting CP’s recent success, didn’t mince words when dissecting Manchester United’s performance against Ipswich Town. The Portuguese tactician, who has been linked with a potential move to Old Trafford in the future, offered a brutally honest critique of the Red Devils’ current state.

A Tactical Conundrum Amorim pinpointed the team’s overthinking as a major issue. “Players were overthinking on and off the ball due to the new setup,” he lamented. The fluidity that once defined United’s attacking play seemed to have been stifled by the tactical changes.

Physicality and Decision-Making The Red Devils’ lack of physicality in the first half was another concern for the Sporting boss. “The team lacked physicality in the first half,” he noted. Coupled with poor decision-making under pressure, United struggled to control the tempo of the game, leading to unnecessary turnovers.

A Work in Progress Amorim acknowledged that adapting to the Premier League’s intensity and Erik ten Hag’s tactical demands takes time. “Adapting to the league and system will take time; the team is learning and showing commitment,” he said. While a draw wasn’t the desired outcome, the focus remains on long-term improvement.

Individual Assessments Amorim also offered specific insights into the performances of several United players:

• Bruno Fernandes: “Bruno wants the long pass all the time.”
• Zirkzee: “Zirkzee has to understand that he has to go into the box for the crosses.”
• Dalot: “Dalot used to pass the ball to the centre-backs and go inside and play as a midfielder. Now he has to stick to this position.”
• Mazraoui: “Mazraoui is SO SMART. He can play anywhere. That type of player is so crucial for our future.”
• Amad Diallo: “Amad was VERY good. In three days, he improved so much defensively.”
• André Onana: “Onana saved us two times at least. He tried to connect with the players [passes], and that was very good for me.”

Amorim’s candid assessment serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Manchester United. While the team has shown glimpses of promise, there’s still a long way to go before they can consistently compete at the highest level.