The ‘Amorim effect’ is fading after two consecutive defeats in the Premier League. The first against Arsenal and yesterday against Nottingham Forest, something that has bothered three former players of the club such as Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Tim Howard.
When you keep changing players you are telling them that you don’t trust them
Gary Neville on NBC Sports
Gary Neville has been very critical of Manchester United for the simple fact of “being outplayed week after week.” The former right back of the club goes further, and advises Amorim to have a fixed starting lineup: “When you keep changing players and your three defenders, you are telling them that you don’t trust them.” Furthermore, the Englishman somewhat compares the club’s current situation with the work that Enzo Maresca is doing at Chelsea, claiming that the Italian coach “plays with one lineup on a Sunday or Saturday and then plays with a different eleven during the week.” .
Rio Ferdinand highlights that the defeat against Nottingham Forest “was a disaster”, and posted a message on his X account that said “Shambles”. Tim Howard agrees with his former teammate, and the American did not understand the substitution of Bruno Fernandes and the changes at the back: “I am worried about the changes, replacing two of the three of the three at the back in the 65th minute, there have to be others problems that need to be fixed.”
Amorim on Bruno’s change: “I was tired”
The Portuguese coach was asked in the post-match about replacing Bruno Fernandes, one of Manchester United’s best players. Amorim wanted to take advantage of the five changes and clarified that the Portuguese midfielder was tired: “We needed fresh legs and transitions. We could have left Bruno Fernandes there, but with Mason Mount who is also good at set pieces he could make the difference because he is very technical. That’s why I tried to put Mount and Zirkzee closer to Rasmus Hojlund to try something at the end.”
