Jamie Carragher says what Manchester United are missing the most, Rúben Amorim completely agrees

Jamie Carragher has echoed the words of Rúben Amorim following Manchester United’s 2-0 loss against Newcastle United in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

Manchester United endured another chastening evening at Old Trafford as Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United claimed a dominant 2-0 victory over Ruben Amorim’s men in the final Premier League match of 2024.

With Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte sidelined through suspension, Joshua Zirkzee was handed a start in an advanced midfield role. Despite United’s attempts to dictate the early tempo, they were swiftly undone when Alexander Isak headed Newcastle ahead after just four minutes.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts as Joelinton added a second with another header in the 20th minute. A frustrated Amorim reacted by making a bold move, hauling off Zirkzee for Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes.

United showed more determination in the second half and began to create opportunities, with Harry Maguire coming agonisingly close as his header thundered against the post. However, their efforts were not enough to turn the tide.

Newcastle stood resolute, clinching all three points and leaving Manchester United to reflect on yet another disappointing result in front of their home fans.

Carragher explains what United are missing most

While summarising the game, former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher explained that he thought there was a lack of athleticism in the side as soon as he saw the starting line-ups.

“As soon as I saw that team, I’m not being clever after the game, you just looked at the lack of athleticism in that Manchester United team,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“Not just in centre midfield, you looked at centre back, you looked in the front three, you looked at Zirkzee up there [in attack], he can’t run, he can’t move.

“I just looked at the energy and the pace in the Newcastle team and I didn’t see any way how Man United could win that game.”

It’s a notion that Amorim agrees with

Amorim has previously spoken about United’s physicality and athleticism, explaining that it’s “impossible” to be a Premier League title-winning team without high athletic levels.

“It’s impossible to win the Premier League without a team like that [a desire to run],” Amorim said earlier this month.

“That fight – every moment, runs back, runs forward. It’s impossible to win. If we want to win, we have to do it. Even with the best starting XI on the planet, without running, they will not win anything. It’s very clear.

“If you want to win the Premier League, you have to run like mad dogs. If not, we are not going to do it, that is clear.”

United have very few players who are genuine elite athletes, which will concern Amorim. This must be fixed in the coming transfer windows.

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