Man Utd stars backed up over ‘private Ruben Amorim concerns’ as boss sent clear message

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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been commended for his stubbornness by Dimitar Berbatov, but the former Red Devil admitted it may be time for him to change

Dimitar Berbatov has told Ruben Amorim it’s time to adapt his style of play amid claims concerned Manchester United players have discussed whether a tactical tweak is needed.

The Portuguese boss has had a tough start to life in Manchester since his appointment as the club’s boss in November. He’s won just five of his 17 Premier League games in charge with the former league giants wallowing in 14th place after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

While he’s currently on a three-match unbeaten streak in the English top-flight – the longest of his United career thus far – they’ve won just one game in their last five, which has led the former Red Devils striker to concede that it may be time for the ex-Sporting Lisbon boss to adjust his footballing philosophy to earn more positive results.

Berbatov – who was recently announced as the European Brand Ambassador for LiveScore – admitted that while he admires Amorim’s approach on the pitch, he has to adapt to the players he currently has at the club if they want to move up the table.

Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, the two-time Premier League winner said: “Although I admire his approach and not wanting to change his principles of play and say ‘this is my way of playing football, I will stick to this, no matter what’, I think maybe he needs to shuffle a little bit.

“Maybe try it once and see what is going to happen with the players that he has at his disposal right now because obviously with the players, this system is not producing the football that everybody is expecting.”

Berbatov’s verdict comes on the back of reports that some United players have discussed whether their manager should change how they play. According to The Mail, several players have spoken about “whether a change of plan” would help the team for the better in the remaining few months of the season.

While Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 formation was a massive success in Portugal, he’s failed to replicate the same kind of success in England. This has left the 40-year-old subject to considerable criticism, with the stubborn boss refusing to move away from his philosophy despite it not transferring into points on the board.

The report further claims that there is a belief among numerous players that there are “growing concerns” that the damaging defeats they’ve suffered this season will continue until Amorim “at least considers” adapting his approach.

United’s dire form this campaign had led some to question whether they’d be dragged into the relegation dogfight, but with 17 points separating them and 18th-placed Ipswich Town, it’s fair to assume the Red Devils will be playing Premier League football next season.

Despite the likelihood of their survival, Berbatov said that United’s change of style will only have to be in use until they know they won’t be fighting relegation to the Championship. “I’m sure he’s not producing the football that he is expecting,” the former Tottenham Hotspur striker added.

“So maybe just try to change a bit until the end of the season and try to get as high as possible into the table, and when you have the comfort of knowing that you’re going to finish the season in a positive way and you’re not going to fight for relegation. I don’t even believe that I’m saying this, it sounds remarkable. It sounds unbelievable, but [to] give you that piece of mind that you get if you try to change something and get even more [out] of your players.”

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