Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted that Manchester United, in particular, deserved last week’s criticism. They were a reaction to dismal showing at Old Trafford. The side mustered just two shots on target in their most recent match which is a further factor behind their continued struggles so far this term. Since coming over from Sporting in November, Amorim has only logged 30 matches as manager of the club. Yet now they sit 13th in the Premier League, sinking further into the bottom half of the table.
And the outcry from ex-United centreback Gary Neville has been especially scathing. Neville had called the team’s play “robotic” and said that he was disappointed at the absence of dynamism in their game. Togetherness and ambition Amorim feels that teams need to establish a clear identity to succeed in modern football. He believes that this infrastructure is necessary for the individual talents to really thrive.
Emphasis on Team Identity
Ruben Amorim is absolutely unyielding in his defense of going all in on a 3-4-3. He thinks it’s fundamental for his players to have a good identity on the pitch. To his credit, he admitted that there are times when his team lacks creativity and quality in the final third.
“Sometimes we lack that creativity in the last third, sometimes the quality. And when I talk about the quality, it’s not just the individual quality, it’s the understanding of the game in the final third.” – Ruben Amorim
Amorim amplified his exchanges with Darren Fletcher on how they prepared for games in times of Sir Alex Ferguson. He did so by showcasing the power of team connection and individual skill to catalyze success.
“It’s not good enough. I feel disappointed.” – Gary Neville
Amorim’s Footballing Renaissance Man approach couldn’t be further from Neville’s “hit the target” shot at football today, as he sees it, and he’s right to do so.
“They’re micromanaged within an inch of their lives – so robotic, that game – and quite symptomatic, actually, of a lot of games that we’re watching nowadays.” – Gary Neville
Upcoming Challenges
Looking on into the future, Manchester United have some crucial upcoming matches. They will take on Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals, a significant opportunity for the club to reclaim glory by lifting the trophy for a second time. Further compounding matters is an upcoming away fixture at Newcastle making for an immediate crunch, with battles becoming more intense as the long season wears on.
Amorim understands that their current campaign likely rests on qualifying for the Champions League. This renders these matches key to each advancing their ambitions. He’s very hopeful that he can adjust his style of play in order to do these things at a very high level.
“So I want to see both because I want to entertain people, but I also like to see my team defending like they defend in this game.” – Ruben Amorim
A Shift in Football Dynamics
As he’s steered his club through these challenging waters, Amorim has signaled that he sees football changing for the better. And with the entire dynamics of the game changing all around them, he’s been resolute that his team be at the forefront of the change.
He wants people to understand that individual talent can’t be the one true measure of a team’s greatness. It’s no longer enough for teams to just have mutual understanding and connection between teammates. Demanding, fast-paced environments require a personal affinity.
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