Manchester United's Ruben Amorim Responds to Criticism
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim acknowledges that criticism from former legendary players is to be expected, given the club's current underperformance.
As United prepares for their Premier League match against Bournemouth on Monday, a win would secure their position in the top six for a second consecutive week. This achievement would mark the first time since the end of the 2023-24 season, just prior to a 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace that nearly led to Erik ten Hag's dismissal before the FA Cup final victory.
While this would be a notable accomplishment for Amorim, it pales in comparison to the standards set during Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure, when the club consistently finished no lower than third after winning its first title in 1993.
In light of this, Paul Scholes expressed concerns on his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Football, arguing that Amorim is not the right fit for United due to his tactical approach, which does not align with the club's tradition of utilizing wingers.
When asked about the ongoing criticism from former players, Amorim stated, "I think it's normal. It's a fact that as the manager of Manchester United, I believe we are underachieving. We should have more points, especially this season. So, I take that naturally. Sometimes they lack all the information and see Manchester United through the lens of their experiences here, where winning was the norm. It's difficult for them to witness the club in its current situation."
Amorim dismissed the notion that these comments complicate his role, attributing the primary issue to the team's lack of victories. "Not winning is the issue. The problem is that as a manager, I'm not performing well enough. That's a fact I can accept. The only problem for them is that Manchester United is not winning and is not in the position it should be. If you are winning, there is no issue."
Amorim has pointed out that the standards of some younger players he had to utilize last season indicate he was working with resources that were not adequate for the task at hand. This situation appears to persist as United has opted not to disclose the availability of Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo, and Amad Diallo for the Bournemouth match amidst uncertainty regarding their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
With Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire currently injured, it seems likely that 20-year-old Leny Yoro and 19-year-old Ayden Heaven will feature in the three-man defense in the coming weeks, which raises concerns due to their inexperience.
However, sympathy for Amorim is somewhat limited due to his management of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has yet to start a Premier League match this season. Mainoo received a warm welcome from United's traveling fans when he was substituted during the 4-1 victory at Wolves and is eager to secure a loan move for more regular playing time.
Amorim was initially reluctant to allow Mainoo to leave in the summer when he had a deal lined up with Serie A champions Napoli. While he has not disclosed how he would respond to a similar request before the January transfer window closes, he expressed his openness to discussing the matter with Mainoo. "I have had conversations with him, especially last year, but not about that specific subject. I would be very pleased if Kobbie came to talk to me about it. I just want my players to be happy. I understand that every individual has their goals, and frustration doesn't help anyone. I am open to speaking with any player, and I love that."