Amorim vows not to change playing strategy

One month into the new season and already Ruben Amorim’s job is under threat. Eight victories in 31 games to date and sixteen defeats. The rain fell at the Etihad last weekend and early on Manchester United held City in their derby match. The sun burst through the clouds and like a plate of butter, […]

One month into the new season and already Ruben Amorim’s job is under threat. Eight victories in 31 games to date and sixteen defeats.

The rain fell at the Etihad last weekend and early on Manchester United held City in their derby match. The sun burst through the clouds and like a plate of butter, United melted away with their defence run ragged by Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland who bagged two goals in City’s 3-0 win.

The problem is Amorim’s football philosophy isn’t working and in the dressing room even the players are losing faith in their manager. His 3-4-2-1 system was taken apart by City. In training during the week and in the dressing room after the game, several players gathered and were outspoken about the coach.

Amorim says he is suffering more than the fans but fought back saying, “I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will do so but not before.” When asked in the press conference if he was worried about losing his job, he said, “My message to the supporters of United is that I am going to give everything and I am always thinking about what is the best for the club. The rest is not my decision. As long as I am here, I will do my best. I really want to win games.”

From my seat I could see Sir James Ratcliffe, part owner of the club and in reality, the day -to- day boss. His head was in his hands at several points sduring the game and his face showed frustration. How long he puts up with the current situation, I am not sure. There were also some unfriendly looks from Ratcliffe towards his Director of Football and having invested £280million during the transfer period I am told he asked some awkward questions after the game.

Interestingly, Amorim’s name is being mentioned to take over at Portugese giants Benfica, but if United do sack him he will be entitled to an £8million payoff!

No one could explain to me the strategy behind his goalkeeper situation. Having spent £20million bringing in Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, Amorim left him on the bench favouring Altay Bayindir. It seems that United have three number two goalkeepers and no number one. When Ederson left City, the club went straight out and bought the world’s best in Donnarumma who kept United at bay all afternoon.

Bruno Fernandes was forced to play deep and consequently couldn’t perform with his usual authority and creativity. Luke Shaw spent the afternoon being tormented by Doku and finally threw in the towel. Can you imagine any player doing that under Sir Alex Ferguson? Bryan Mbuemo, so effective at scoring goals under Thomas Frank at Brentford, hardly got into the game. Benjamin Sesko, the £74million striker import was virtually anonymous for the second game running, City fans sang to Amorim, “You’re getting sacked in the morning”…He survived on Saturday but for how long?

 

Madueke excellence

An Arsenal supporter started a petition begging the club not to sign Noni Madueke from Chelsea. 5,000 people signed it and how they must regret their actions which have been completely embarrassed by the winger who was a star for England in the World Cup qualifiers last week and then won applause every time he ran the Nottingham Forest backline ragged with his darting, dribbling runs and crosses. Madueke who cost £48.5million was a bargain.

The problem for the Gunner’s faithful fans is of course, that Madueke plays in the position of their adopted son, Bukayo Saka. Last season Arsenal had trouble breaking down clubs who ran a low-block game which left them 17 goals behind title winners Liverpool. This season they are better equipped.

When Mikel Arteta spoke after the Forest game the word he used most when referring to Madueke was “courage.” He said, “He keeps driving at opponents, is always smiling, always trying things. He gets one wrong and he goes again. He brings joy.”

Saka might be the first name on Arteta’s team sheet and also the England coach Thomas Tuchel’s, but with Madueke’s Saturday performance it might be more difficult to work out the best team in future. Noni could move out to the left wing but that is the position Arsenal brought in Eberechi Eze to play which leaves Arteta with a difficult but healthy problem: how does he play Madueke and Saka and Eze when all are fit, raring to go and expecting to play.

 

Working out Liverpool’s forward line

Mo Salah finally scored for Liverpool to give them the only 100 per cent record in the Premier League. Liverpool were not at their best and Salah’s penalty finally got them over the line at Burnley’s expense. What we did learn from the game is how Liverpool will line up with the arrival of Alexander Isak. He will take the role of striker with Hugo Ekitike moving out to the left where he did his best work last weekend on the wing, cutting inside and putting in accurate crosses. Arne Slot is trying to link up Florian Wirtz into an Ekitike, Wirtz, Isak, Salah forward line. The player who will likely miss out is Cody Gakpo.

Salah has to discover his form of the last few seasons which made him Player of the Year last year. When questioned Arne Slot defended Mo commenting, “Taking Mo off when we need a goal won’t happen very often. But yes, you do think of all the subs during various points in a match.”

 

No way back for Chelsea bomb squad

Amorim vows not to change playing strategy

One month into the new season and already Ruben Amorim’s job is under threat. Eight victories in 31 games to date and sixteen defeats.

The rain fell at the Etihad last weekend and early on Manchester United held City in their derby match. The sun burst through the clouds and like a plate of butter, United melted away with their defence run ragged by Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland who bagged two goals in City’s 3-0 win.

The problem is Amorim’s football philosophy isn’t working and in the dressing room even the players are losing faith in their manager. His 3-4-2-1 system was taken apart by City. In training during the week and in the dressing room after the game, several players gathered and were outspoken about the coach.

Amorim says he is suffering more than the fans but fought back saying, “I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will do so but not before.” When asked in the press conference if he was worried about losing his job, he said, “My message to the supporters of United is that I am going to give everything and I am always thinking about what is the best for the club. The rest is not my decision. As long as I am here, I will do my best. I really want to win games.”

From my seat I could see Sir James Ratcliffe, part owner of the club and in reality, the day -to- day boss. His head was in his hands at several points sduring the game and his face showed frustration. How long he puts up with the current situation, I am not sure. There were also some unfriendly looks from Ratcliffe towards his Director of Football and having invested £280million during the transfer period I am told he asked some awkward questions after the game.

Interestingly, Amorim’s name is being mentioned to take over at Portugese giants Benfica, but if United do sack him he will be entitled to an £8million payoff!

No one could explain to me the strategy behind his goalkeeper situation. Having spent £20million bringing in Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, Amorim left him on the bench favouring Altay Bayindir. It seems that United have three number two goalkeepers and no number one. When Ederson left City, the club went straight out and bought the world’s best in Donnarumma who kept United at bay all afternoon.