Manchester United were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City on Sunday, with Ruben Amorim’s side now having won just eight of their 31 Premier League matches under the Portuguese
Micah Richards reckons that Ruben Amorim must sort out Manchester United’s midfield woes – or risk losing his job – after Sunday’s crushing 3-0 defeat at Manchester City. United were outclassed in devastating fashion at the Etihad Stadium, as Phil Foden put City ahead in the 18th minute before Erling Haaland struck twice in the second half to put the Red Devils to the sword.
The defeat has cranked up the heat on Amorim, who has managed just eight victories from his 31 Premier League matches since taking over from Erik ten Hag as manager, last November. With four points from their opening four fixtures this season, United have endured their most dismal start to a Premier League campaign since 1992/93.
They also suffered an astonishing Carabao Cup second round elimination to Grimsby Town, with the Red Devils crashing out 12-11 on spot-kicks after a 2-2 stalemate in regular time. Talk surrounding Amorim’s future is intensifying and former City right-back Richards has provided the Portuguese boss with some crucial guidance to remedy United’s troubles.
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Richards is convinced that Amorim must address his midfield problems. Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Richards said: “That’s exactly right, and that’s what I’ve been saying on Sky Sports after the game.
“From the studio, you have a bird’s-eye view so you can see all the positions and, in the first minute, Haaland gets his chance. United grew into the game a little bit. A little bit of confidence.
“I remember saying after the United vs Arsenal game; ‘I can see an improvement’. I actually thought, in aspects of the City game, Man Utd did good things. But what is crystal clear, in the middle of the park, they need more legs. I can see that, all the fans can see that, but the manager is sticking to his guns and I just don’t understand it.
“Every manager should be able to adapt. You got Rodri, who actually in the first half, I didn’t think he played too well, he gave the ball away too easily, but you have got legs with [Tijani] Reijnders and you got Foden playing off Haaland. You got [Jeremy] Doku coming into little pockets and you got Bernardo Silva.
“So, when you see them playing with [Benjamin] Sesko and [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Amad] Diallo, they’re forward-thinking players, so they can give you what you need in terms of the start of the shape you’re trying to do.
“They’re thinking about getting the ball forward as fast as possible and doing what they do best. So, it works when the game’s really tight but, as soon as the game opens up, you’re asking forward players to do the midfield players’ job. It just doesn’t work.
“If I was playing in that back three, back five, whatever you want to call it, it’s virtually impossible at times because Bruno [Fernandes’ is their best player, playing as a No.6 – he doesn’t track runners, but then the back three are not pushing up. They’re getting overrun in midfield and then in behind, as well. It was just a disaster… Absolute disaster.
“They need to sort it out ASAP (as soon as possible) because if they carry on playing that way, they’re not going to get any better.”
Despite mounting pressure on Amorim’s role, The Manchester Evening News reports that the Portuguese still has the backing of the United board for the time being. However, a source close to Amorim concedes it is “incredible” that his position isn’t under serious threat despite 16 losses in the 31 league matches.
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