Manchester United managers under pressure have delivered some rather confusing and panicked press conference statements in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson left. Towards the end of his tenure, Erik ten Hag rarely seemed to make much sense, but Ruben Amorim may have just topped anything the Dutchman said or did.
Indeed, nothing quite screams ‘dead man walking’ like a manager admitting his own players have more faith in ideas put forward by the press than his own tactical philosophy. Remarkably, though, this is exactly what Man United’s boss said ahead of the club’s Premier League match against Sunderland.
Amorim Admits Man Utd Stars ‘Believe’ 3-4-3 Formation is the Problem
Stuck down in 14th, with just two wins from his opening six league games, many believe the writing is already on the wall for Amorim. Anything but three points at Old Trafford against the Black Cats would surely see him sacked in the upcoming international break.
In the simplest of terms, the biggest criticism of his tactics is his inflexibility. Amorim appears wedded to his 3-4-3 formation at all costs, and it may well just cost him his job.
Amid strong media scrutiny, the Manchester United manager appeared to admit that he can’t even convince his own players to get on board with his tactical system. In his latest press conference, he said:
“My players believe you guys when you say the problem of our team is the system. I get crazy about that. I don’t want to change your mind but my players, I guarantee you, they are listening to you, and they are putting that inside because we are not winning games.”
It’s hard to imagine any Premier League manager making such a damning public admission. Amorim is essentially saying his players have more faith in the ideas of the media than the ones he brings to his training sessions.
In fact, it’s such an unbelievable statement, you can’t help but half-wonder if he’s trying to get himself sacked. Either way, it surely confirms that Man United will soon be on the lookout for a new head coach at Old Trafford. Even the most optimistic of fans must have little faith or patience left in this seemingly doomed project.
Man Utd Supporters Stunned By Amorim’s Claim
Fans online read the quotes and could not hide their disbelief. One dammingly claimed:
“He’s lost the dressing room then.”
Another added: “He has lost the plot, unfortunately.” While a third stated: “This is absolutely insane, isn’t it? He’s basically said he’s losing the dressing room.”
One shocked fan even claimed: “Yeah now THIS, this officially tops everything for the worst thing he has ever said.”
Another put: “I don’t think it’s a very good sign when a manager is openly admitting his own players are questioning the way we are playing.”
Adding to the pile on, somebody said: “After the gaslighting we endured under Ten Hag, I genuinely thought it would be impossible to get someone worse, I was so so wrong. This guy makes Ten Hag look like a genius.”
While one seemed to accept that Amorim’s time with the club is destined to end shortly, writing: “He is so far out of his depth, its unreal. He is not equipped for a job this big. There is not a single reason why this man should still be the manager of the football club, in every possible facet, he has to go.”