Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has issued his verdict on three Manchester United players under Ruben Amorim this season.
In Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle, Manchester United’s defence was led by an untested trio of Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Lindelof, and Leny Yoro.
They struggled significantly, resulting in the club’s 14th Premier League defeat of the season—matching a historic low.
Jaap Stam, who won the Champions League and three Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, feels that the club should have hired a manager whose style better suited the squad left behind by Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed in late October.
Since taking over, Ruben Amorim has made some moves in the transfer market, including signing young defenders Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven in January.
Meanwhile, £59 million summer signing Yoro made his return to action in December after recovering from a metatarsal injury he sustained during United’s pre-season tour in LA.
Stam offers verdict on United stars
While Stam admits that Amorim has shown some promise in his early days at the club, he also believes that the team is still a work in progress under the new coach.
The ex-Dutch defender has also shared his thoughts on some of the young players brought in by Amorim, including Dorgu, Yoro and Heaven. He has been particularly impressed with Dorgu’s progress since joining the club.
“I think Dorgu is doing well,” explained the 52-year-old. “He’s showing promise, energy, and has the stamina to go up and down the pitch. He’s showing improvement, which is what you want to see.”
“Yoro has been unlucky with injuries, so he hasn’t been fit consistently since joining. But he’s a young guy with the right tools. He’s solid defensively, has good pace, and can defend effectively in larger spaces. He’s also capable of driving forward with the ball.
“However, he needs to improve when he’s in possession; finding the right passes and making the right decisions. That’s an area where his teammates, particularly the midfielders, need to support him by making themselves available for passes. It’s not all on him; it’s about the team working together.”
Stam also praises United defender Heaven
Speaking further on Heaven, Stam has been intrigued with the young defender’s overall maturity and control over his game.
“As for Heaven, I’ve been impressed. He looks promising and shows great control over his game, especially in possession.
“He’s comfortable on the ball, drives forward with purpose, and understands when to step in or cover defensively.
“He’s quick, has good awareness, and shows maturity in his decision-making, which is impressive for a young player at this level. Overall, he’s got a lot of potential.”
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Despite the growing optimism surrounding these young players, United are still struggling in the league, and their form remains a concern.
With a pivotal Europa League quarter-final match against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday, the focus is now on achieving success in Europe. This competition represents United’s best chance to secure a trophy this season and qualify for the Champions League for next season.
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