Ruben Amorim’s plan against Newcastle was football suicide, writes DANNY MURPHY – but here’s how the Man United boss can tweak it to stop the rot
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Most games are won or lost in midfield. Managers have instilled that in the players and that is still the case.
Few teams would ask two players to take on three if they weren’t equipped to do so and weren’t given any help. That’s why I thought it was bizarre that Ruben Amorim did it on Monday evening against a team as athletic as Newcastle.
I was at Old Trafford and could see the problem within a few minutes. By the time the Manchester United boss responded, his team were 2-0 down and it was game over.
It was football suicide and unless Amorim changes its system or personnel, performances and results will not change – especially worrying as United are in 14th place.
We know Amorim’s 3-4-3 worked extremely well for him at Sporting Lisbon, but the Premier League is an unforgiving place.
Only one team has won the title like this here and Antonio Conte’s Chelsea were blessed with excellent midfielders Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante – who were in charge of two players – and Eden Hazard, who often made opponents more concerned made. about him then coming to the fore himself. United has none of these assets.
Ruben Amorim has been criticized for his display in Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle
United’s midfield of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen was overrun by the Magpies
They are easy to play against and easy to beat. To play in a formation where you are outnumbered in midfield, and then give the extra running power to the thirtysomethings Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, was a contradiction.
Although things improved in the second half with youngster Kobbie Mainoo, that was largely because Newcastle were comfortably ahead and took their foot off the accelerator.
I have been impressed with Amorim since he arrived at Old Trafford, but this was the first big black mark. He must have known that Newcastle were flying at the moment and their most energetic midfielder Manuel Ugarte was suspended. But the outcome still surprised him.
United fans will be wondering what he will do next. If he wants to stick with 3-4-3 in the long term, he will need a lot of new players. The problem is not just with the midfielders.
There is also a lack of legs in United’s backline. Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt were reluctant to step into midfield for fear of being exposed against Alexander Isak. On the other hand, Newcastle were prepared to press on and push forward, confident that Fabian Schar could deal with Rasmus Hojlund one-on-one.
If United had a back three of Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba and Mickey van de Ven, they could be much more aggressive. Since he has the group he inherited for the time being, Amorim has to make some adjustments.
It may not fit into United’s philosophy of open attacking football at the Theater of Dreams, but now is not the time to worry about that. They need results. If he is determined to play with full-backs even in these difficult times, he should at least add an extra midfielder to become 3-5-2.
It would mean that the distances between his midfield players would be smaller. At the moment every team has outscored United, not just Newcastle, but also Bournemouth and Wolves in recent games.
United have also suffered home defeats in recent weeks against the likes of Bournemouth (photo) and Nottingham Forest
Toby Collyer, 20, has made one Premier League appearance for the Red Devils this season
He could also make the field smaller by deliberately giving opponents possession of the ball. Become more compact so that his defensive unit is closer together. They do have counter-attackers, such as Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho, who could benefit from this.
It has served Nottingham Forest well this season, including in their victory at Anfield. United are in a mess.
Their attackers lack the brilliance of Mohamed Salah or Isak. The midfielders do not have the running power of Ryan Gravenberch or Rodri. Amorim has to try something.
Whether it’s giving young Toby Collyer a chance because he can explore the park, or putting Lisandro Martinez in midfield to give Leny Yoro some games. One thing seems certain. Sticking to the current formula will lead to more failures.