Gary Lineker is now convinced that Manchester United made a schoolboy error by overlooking one all-important aspect about bringing Ruben Amorim to Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim has dominated the Manchester United discourse since Monday morning after the former Sporting CP manager’s reign finally came to an end.
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The 40-year-old former United manager replaced Dutchman Erik ten Hag in 2024 and Amorim endured a tough 14-month managerial spell at Old Trafford.
Amorim received the public backing of Ineos and Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe earlier in the Premier League campaign after a mixed start to the season.
However, Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe made the call to close the chapter on Amorim’s time as United manager after the 40-year-old Portuguese coach was sacked.
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Ruben Amorim left Manchester United in the aftermath of his explosive post-match press conference on Sunday, following the 1-1 Premier League draw against Leeds United.
The former Sporting CP head coach did not mince his words over his frustrations about the inner workings at Old Trafford and was deeply critical of United.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker has suggested that the Red Devils should have properly profiled Amorim’s approach to his tactics.
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“Yeah, it didn’t seem to be the right fit,” he said.
“And I think he was obviously a bit stubborn about the way he wanted to play. I don’t think the players suited the way he plays.
“The club should have recognised that before they signed him, really.
“I’m sure in these interviews, how do you want us to play? You must ask those sort[s] of questions.”
Gary Lineker on what he ‘suspects’ about Man Utd’s approach to Ruben Amorim since his 2024 appointment
Amorim’s tactical system at United put the former Red Devils head coach front and centre when it came to criticism over his approach to Premier League matches.
Lineker believes that United were pragmatic in buying players that could meet Amorim’s needs rather than purchasing specifically with his tactical system in mind.
Now Ruben Amorim has been fired, do you want Marcus Rashford to have another chance at Man Utd?
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“And if he says, ‘Well, this is how I play,’ he could look at it and go, ‘Well, I’m not sure we’ve got the players to suit that,’ or we’ll give us two or three years and a few windows and we’ll buy the players to fit in,” he added.
“I suspect they haven’t supported him in the sense [of] bringing in the players that he would want to play in certain positions. I don’t know.”
Darren Fletcher was appointed Red Devils caretaker boss after Amorim’s sacking as United manager and will lead the club for Wednesday’s clash against Burnley.
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