Jamie Carragher explains Manchester United star Rúben Amorim will drop, Ruud van Nistelrooy disagrees

Jamie Carragher has explained that he feels one player that Ruud van Nistelrooy loves will be dropped as Rúben Amorim takes over Manchester United’s squad.

As Rúben Amorim steps in to lead Manchester United’s first team following Erik ten Hag’s departure, there’s plenty to reflect on.

With co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision for the club taking shape nearly ten months into his tenure, many believe Amorim will look to reshape the squad that Ten Hag has crafted over the past two and a half seasons.

Read More: Jamie Carragher names Manchester United duo who ‘cannot play together’ under Rúben Amorim

In the coming months, Amorim is expected to evaluate his squad carefully, identifying players he wishes to keep and those who may not fit his plans.

While speculation builds over which players the 39-year-old will retain, sell, or target in upcoming transfer windows, much of the focus remains on which members of the current squad will adapt best to Amorim’s well-known 3-4-2-1 system.

Who starts in midfield?

When discussing who Amorim will most likely want in the system many expect him to deploy at the club, former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher focused on who the midfield duo in front of the defensive three will be.

The 46-year-old explained that, due to the energy levels required, Casemiro is likely to be axed from the XI.

“I think in Ugarte and Mainoo, Ugarte is a player he knows,” he told Sky Sports on Monday evening when moving onto the midfield.

“And also, when I’ve seen Sporting Lisbon play, these two players don’t just sit and don’t move here. In terms of pressing, at times, they will push right up and be really aggressive on the opposition’s sensitive players.

Further, Carragher was asked if he has chosen this pair over the likes of Casemiro and Chrisitain Eriksen due to the importance of energy in the midfield.

“100%,” he replied. “It will be about energy there, because don’t forget, the centre of the pitch, how often do we see teams, not just with three players in there, with four players in there, people talk about playing the box in there.

“That will be really interesting, how they cope with that defensively. And that’s why I say his out-of-possession set-up will be fascinating when he hasn’t got the best players in the league or the best team in the league because that will cause a problem.”

Van Nistelrooy disagrees

This is a notion that current interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will disagree with, as shown by his defence of Casemiro last week. The Brazilian scored twice as United defeated Leicester City 5-2 last Wednesday, and the Dutchman was full of praise for the midfielder.

“I was delighted for Casemiro. The way he’s been training and helping the team, the club, it’s such an example,” he said after the full-time whistle.

“You also see the crowd’s reaction, and they know what he’s about. I’m delighted to have him around, and going through difficult moments, he got a lot of criticism after the Liverpool game. It’s so hard, he was almost the one to blame for that game and it’s not fair, he didn’t deserve that and it’s totally not true.

“If you see him train and prepare for games, with the history and all he’s achieved with five Champions Leagues, he’s an example for us, and that was part of my celebration – I was happy for him.”

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