Questions are again being asked of Manchester United and Rúben Amorim after their dismal 1-1 draw at home to West Ham on Thursday.
When Rúben Amorim was appointed Manchester United on November 1 2024, it was because of his ‘idea’ – the 3-4-2-1 formation that he is wilfully wedded to.
Over a year on, and the United faithful are yet to see his ‘idea’ at its free-flowing best, like it was at Sporting CP.
The system implemented subverts United traditions of wingers that are able to dazzle with their dribbling and get fans on the edge of their seats, playing the United way. The Reds are consistently inconsistent, and last night’s sluggish stalemate was further proof of that.
United looked simply toothless against West Ham United, and the substitutions seemed only to make things worse, especially when Amorim chose to introduce Lisandro Martínez at 1-1 rather than a more attacking change.
Limited youth and no desire
For the second consecutive home game at Old Trafford, United have been sleepwalking. They have shown no impetus or urgency, instead appearing lethargic and laboured. The players cut cowardly figures – not one took the game by the scruff of the neck.
The players had a chance to stake their claim to the top four – and once again, feebly failed. Repeating the painful patterns of that against Everton. Murmurs of “here we go again” filtered throughout the Stretford End.
Another reason Amorim was appointed United manager was that he trusted the youth at Sporting. At United, though, he has been reluctant to rely on that tool that has so often come up trumps for United in the past: Fergie’s fledglings and the Busby Babes, the most prominent.
Still, there was no room for fan favourite Kobbie Mainoo, who is allegedly looking to move away from Old Trafford in January.
Amorim’s biggest flaw
As United manager, taking risks is a requirement. Shea Lacey was again waiting in the wings, but not used. He is a player who possesses personality in abundance – he can make something happen out of nothing. Instead, he turned to four defensive changes. Against a withering West Ham team who have three wins to their name all season, and a -12 goal difference. Amorim’s negativity adds to the already anxious Old Trafford crowd.
Remember Macheda? He was 17 at the time of his United debut. Sir Alex Ferguson gave him an opportunity, and it was one he took with both hands. “Great turn by Macheda!” were the words bellowed by Martin Tyler on commentary, before his shot curled carefully passed a helpless Brad Friedel. His goal helped United clinch their 18th title.
Read More: Rúben Amorim backtracks on Shea Lacey claim after substitution choice against West Ham
In an interview with Gary Neville, when talking about risks, Ferguson said: “You’re down 1-0, what’s the point in sitting with your back four, your regular midfield, and two strikers? The risk is shove people in the box… you shove three or four in the box … get the ball in there, that’s the risk because you could lose on the breakaway easily.
“We lost games that way … But the value is, if you score in injury time – remember the dressing room? It was electric. Absolutely electric. The fans are going home, they can’t wait to get to the pub to talk about it, to get home and tell their wife and their kids what it was like at Old Trafford to score in the last minute. That’s the value.”
Fergie got it; it appears Amorim does not. He certainly could learn a thing or two.
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