Ruben Amorim told to scrap new Man Utd system with players ‘getting worse’

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ruben Amorim should change his back three system, claims Alan Shearer.

The Portuguese boss, 39, has had a difficult start to life at Old Trafford.

After Monday night's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle, Amorim admitted that relegation is “a possibility”.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest is Football, Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker called the defeat embarrassing – while also questioning Amorim's decision to play veterans Casemiro and Christian Eriksen together in a midfield duo in his 3-4-3.

In response, Shearer asked: 'How long will he continue with his system?

“Because his players, the players he has in the squad, clearly cannot play the way he wants them to play. How long can he keep this up?”

Fellow expert Micah Richards responded: “As long as he can? I don't think he'll change his ways because then he'll be admitting defeat.”

Shearer hit back: “Really? When you say 'admit defeat' don't you mean 'Okay, I tried it that way, my players can't play like that so I have to change for the benefit of the team ' '?”

Richards responded: “It's not like Man Utd were great three years ago and then Ten Hag came in and they were really bad and he's trying… they haven't played well for years and they've tried every possible formation.

“So if you're a manager, you're not going to doubt yourself and end up in a different system, a system you don't know.

“I think this is one that will take a lot of time. Obviously the players at the moment are not good enough to fit his ideas. But if he starts to change now…”

After Shearer said “it's getting worse, Micah”, Richards continued: “I think sometimes you have to get worse before you can move on, they've tried everything else.”

Shearer further added about Amorim: “I bet he's thinking, 'What the hell have I walked into?' Both on and off the field.”

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher broadly agrees with Richards' assessment.

He wrote on social media: “Ruben Amorim needs to deliver as we have seen big jobs disappear in the past for young managers such as Graham Potter at Chelsea.

“But he can't change his whole idea of ​​3/4/3, otherwise what was the point of bringing him in?”

'A bit embarrassing'

Asked whether talk of a relegation battle is “shameful”, Amorim said on Monday: “It is also my fault.

“The team is not improving. It's a bit lost at the moment and it's a bit embarrassing to be coach of Manchester United and lose a lot of games.

“I think people are tired of excuses at this club. This club needs a shock.”

Marcus Rashford returned to the matchday squad for the Newcastle match after being frozen out for four games.

But even with United needing a goal, Amorim chose not to use the attacker.

The Red Devils, who sit in 14th place in the Prem table, are back in action on Sunday when they face a tough trip against league leaders Liverpool.

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