Gary Neville has voiced concerns that Ruben Amorim is struggling to sell his ideas to Manchester United’s players, and Confidential understands some have discussed among themselves whether a change of plan that is better suited to their style of play may be the best way forward.
That’s unlikely to happen anytime soon after Amorim vowed to stand by his philosophy at all costs despite losing eight of his 20 games in charge, playing a 3-4-3 formation with wing-backs.
But United visit Tottenham on Sunday with both clubs uncomfortably close to the relegation zone, and there is growing concern among some players that the teething problems they have experienced under Amorim are not going to improve unless he considers at least tweaking the system.
Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, the former United defender said last week after United’s defeat by Crystal Palace: ‘I thought it would get better when Ruben Amorim came in, the enthusiasm of him and the new system, the players would buy into and we'd see a bounce, but we've seen the absolute opposite and it's got a lot worse.
‘They (United) are obviously going to stick with Amorim. But the more you lose, the more difficult it is for the manager to convince the players of his idea.
'It will depress the thoughts of the players to a point whereby they'll start to lose faith in the idea and it'll damage you.’
Although there is no suggestion Amorim risks losing the dressing room, questions will continue to be asked of his strategy unless United begin to show a marked improvement.
Friday’s FA Cup win over Leicester was little better, with even the United boss struggling to find reasons to celebrate.
Martinez to have knee op
Lisandro Martinez is set to have surgery this week to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
United confirmed last week that Martinez had damaged his ACL in their 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace and said that ‘assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment’.
Confidential understands club doctors have decided an operation is the best course of action and the Argentina defender will go under the knife shortly.
It is unclear how long Martinez will be out of action but the initial prognosis was around six months, which would give him a chance of being fit for the start of next season.
The 27-year-old damaged the medial ligament in his right knee against West Ham a year ago but the injury didn’t require surgery and he was back eight games later.
Sadly, this time he faces a much longer lay-off.
United fans cleared over chaos
An investigation into how 1,600 Rangers fans infiltrated home sections of Old Trafford for last month's Europa League clash has determined that only a handful of United supporters can take some blame for the chaos.
A 'small number' of fans whom the club believe sold their tickets to Rangers supporters have been hit with sanctions – a suspension prior to appeal, with the possible outcome of a year's ban from attending home and away matches. It is thought they were identified on CCTV.
But United say the problems on the night were caused by touts and unofficial resellers using accounts registered on the club's database to distribute tickets, rather than season-ticket holders.
At least 100 Rangers supporters bought official off-site hospitality at Old Trafford through their club, priced at £325 plus VAT per ticket, after the Scottish side chose to sell part of their category one UEFA allocation.
Visiting clubs in European games are entitled to category one tickets under UEFA rules, which at Old Trafford are located in the South Stand.
These are often used by dignitaries and players' families but of the 200 allocated to Rangers, 100 were sold on by the Scottish club in what Confidential understands is a highly unusual move. Rangers have not responded to requests for comment.
The high number of Rangers fans in the home end led to worrying scenes inside the ground.
United have vowed to review their approach to matches deemed 'high-risk' to avoid a repeat in future.
Disney bonus for Garnacho
The decision to host a recovery training session on the pitch in the hours after squeezing past Leicester City in the FA Cup meant it allowed players the opportunity to have a weekend off, before coming back in refreshed on Monday morning.
Alejandro Garnacho, who came off the bench to turn the tie in United’s favour, made the decision to go over the Channel to visit Disneyland with partner Eva Garcia and their son Enzo.
Team-mate Diogo Dalot opted for a family weekend in the Cotswolds, and others took the chance to unwind around the North West with family.
United are still alive in two cup competitions and as much as Ruben Amorim is keen to drill his ideas on the training pitch, there is a feeling that giving the players some time to detach from the stresses of the season can help rejuvenate them for the remaining months.
TV pick is a hit
Friday night's match between United and Leicester was ITV's biggest FA Cup match since April, based on total coverage.
It averaged 3.2 million viewers and peaked with 4.4 million viewers across ITV1 and ITVX.
Harry’s a heartbreaker
Bonnie Tyler had it right. They played her 1977 hit It’s a Heartache at Old Trafford before Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie because United fans have adopted the tune as their tribute song to Ruben Amorim, but the words would have resonated more with Leicester City.
‘It's a heartache, nothing but a heartache, hits you when it's too late, hits you when you're down,’ sings Bonnie.
United couldn’t have left it any later to hit Leicester as Foxes old boy Harry Maguire headed a controversial winner in the 93rd minute to put the Cup holders into the fifth round and leave former Old Trafford favourite Ruud van Nistelrooy heartbroken.
United fans spent most of the first half fighting off the boredom by singing the new tune, having borrowed their other Amorim tribute song from KC and The Sunshine Band. It’s a Heartache and Give It Up. Are they trying to tell the United boss something?
Players get message across
While United's players warmed up for Friday’s FA Cup win over Leicester City with the words 'Mucha Fuerza Licha' – Stay Strong Licha – on the back of their training tops in support of the injured Lisandro Martinez, the club’s Under 21s had an important message of their own.
The youngsters prepared for their game against Tottenham on the same night with their tops inside out to mark Children’s Mental Health Week. It was aimed at encouraging young people to talk about their emotions and what is happening on the inside.
Heaven feels the love
One of the selling points put to players to entice them to Old Trafford has long been that United can transform an individual’s personal brand.
That has already become clear to young January signing Ayden Heaven, who has seen his Instagram following treble in two weeks.
The 18-year-old made the move north from Arsenal and was unveiled at Old Trafford alongside fellow January arrival Patrick Dorgu.
Heaven had in the region of 43,000 followers on Instagram on January 28, but now boasts more than 125,000 – and that’s without making a first-team appearance.
Fergie’s still a father figure
Sir Alex Ferguson might be working his notice period as a Manchester United ambassador but he remains a father figure for the club in times of need.
The 83-year-old was called upon to speak at Denis Law’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral on Tuesday afternoon, a month after giving a eulogy there for much-loved United employee Kath Phipps.
In the absence of the Glazer family and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ferguson’s standing at United and his personal relationship with Law made him the obvious choice to pay a heartfelt tribute to his fellow Scot.
It comes as Ferguson prepares to sign off as an official ambassador at the end of the season after Ratcliffe decided to end his £2million-a-year contract as part of the cost cuts at Old Trafford.
Greats pay tribute to Law
The great and the good of British football were at Manchester Cathedral on Tuesday for the funeral of Denis Law, the man dubbed The King by United fans.
Plans were swiftly cancelled once the date was set for United to say farewell to the last of their Holy Trinity following Law’s passing at the age of 84 last month.
Confidential understands Sir Kenny Dalglish, Bryan Robson and Denis Irwin were due to attend the Grand National Weights Lunch at St George’s Hall in Liverpool but pulled out to be at the service to pay tribute to a true United and Scotland legend.
Evans dig is desperate for Dan
A lot of work went into finding a good landing spot for Dan Gore, particularly given how frustrating it was for all involved last season when he had an unsuccessful stint at Port Vale.
Gore made the move to Vale Park last January but only made one appearance before injury curtailed the remainder of his loan.
So Rotherham manager Steve Evans’ public comments about Gore after he was left out against Shrewsbury at the weekend raised eyebrows at United.
Having come off the bench against Birmingham City and produced an assist, Gore played no part in Rotherham’s 2-1 defeat by the Shrews.
Local media cited a foot injury as the reason for Gore’s omission, but Evans was particularly unhelpful towards the player in his post-match comments.
‘It’s unbelievable,’ he said. ‘We didn’t do enough in training for him to have a sore nose let alone a sore foot. Until I hear more from the medical staff as to how it’s happened and why it’s happened then it’s… maybe God will tell me when I go to sleep tonight.’
The 20-year-old has had a stop-start few years due to injury, and is crying out for a clear run to get some games under his belt. He started this season rehabbing shoulder surgery by playing – and impressing – for United Under 21s, excelling in games in the National League Cup.
But with tensions already rising at Rotherham, United bosses will be monitoring Gore and his progress with interest in the coming weeks.
Get your football fix
For United fans looking for a football fix this week, get down to Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday night to see Adam Lawrence’s Under 18s host Chelsea in the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup.
United are the most successful team in the club’s competition and after home wins over Coventry City and Preston North End, they now face a step up in quality against Chelsea.
Having bowed out of the Under 18 Premier League Cup, the FA Youth Cup represents a chance at silverware for a young United side brimming with stars of the future, including striker Chido Obi-Martin, as well as young left back Harry Amass. Tickets can be bought HERE.
Bradbury bounces back
United Under 18s saw the defence of their Premier League Cup title ended recently following a penalty shootout defeat by West Ham.
In sudden death, 16-year-old striker Louie Bradbury stepped up and missed. But any worries that setback could bury the young Welsh forward soon disappeared after he bagged a hat-trick in the Under 16s’ 5-3 win over Liverpool.
Bradbury is one of the young forwards to watch coming through the ranks and his treble against bitter rivals Liverpool has helped shake off any hangover from the cup shootout.
The teenager is routinely shifted between age groups and this season he has already gained experience at Under 16, 17, 18 and Under 21 level.
He won his first FA Youth Cup call-up in the previous round against Preston North End and is pushing for involvement this week in the last 16 against Chelsea.
nawcdlopt
0
hoy vttg
Donxelly56
0
if you knew this much why can't you take up a coaching role
Bocbenou
0
[5percent][5percent][5percent][5percent]
foabdeprty
0
the problem is not with the system but with the players more especially defenders lucking confidence to play the ball upwards they are not pushing the lines, compare man city or Liverpool defenders once they have the ball they push the lines to un opponent half and play their but our mmmmmmm it's difficult yoro, de light and mazurraoi
the system is the prob only inter Milan among the elite clubs using it real Madrid, Bayern, Barca, psg, Atletico Madrid, lpool, mancity, have been dominant with a back four
foabdeprty
0
Honestly I don't understand some of this my fellow united supporters, see how long we have been playing back 4, have anything change, Ten hag was using it this same season he left us in this same position 13th, we have been protecting this players alot, we have very lazy players that has already been pampered, we give players power over mangers that's has been our problem in this united, see now you guys are still saying the coach should change tactics to suit this lazy good for nothing players, but if the go to other clubs they will start running and marking but in united they will never do that like Rashford and Sancho etc. Is only man united stupid board and we supporters that give players power in all the clubs, we have still not learn our lesson. let this coach continue with his tactics because it exposés the lazy players like it exposés Rashford etc, any player that can't suit in this system should be sold, and be replaced with hungry talented players, look at Liverpool, arsenal, man city players that are all talented and hungry, that's what we need to change these our predicament next season. GGMU 💯
amorim is also average he shud adjust
Taj_a_war
1
O
KodwoK
0
Total nonsense!!!! So now we should "trust the players" who have proven incapable of implementing the plans of various coaches including Erik ten Hag and his predecessors? These pundit old players are making zero sense with the "advice" they profer.
coucikmps
0
This Class of 92 are bullsh-t They should be thrown into garbage
Ritbcemnot
0
Honestly I don't understand some of this my fellow united supporters, see how long we have been playing back 4, have anything change, Ten hag was using it this same season he left us in this same position 13th, we have been protecting this players alot, we have very lazy players that has already been pampered, we give players power over mangers that's has been our problem in this united, see now you guys are still saying the coach should change tactics to suit this lazy good for nothing players, but if the go to other clubs they will start running and marking but in united they will never do that like Rashford and Sancho etc. Is only man united stupid board and we supporters that give players power in all the clubs, we have still not learn our lesson. let this coach continue with his tactics because it exposés the lazy players like it exposés Rashford etc, any player that can't suit in this system should be sold, and be replaced with hungry talented players, look at Liverpool, arsenal, man city players that are all talented and hungry, that's what we need to change these our predicament next season. GGMU 💯
players who are always complaining that the coach or manager is bad... so which good coach should we hire. players must also step up and show us their potential rather than complaining
zeuknprtu
0
it's too much for our club
zeuknprtu
1
so if I ask man u are we lacking players or coach because we support for epl not this others
jehbdintyz
0
useless coach
yuucdeptu
0
what's the point standing by a failed philosophy that is dead and buried
Michica
2
Honestly I don't understand some of this my fellow united supporters, see how long we have been playing back 4, have anything change, Ten hag was using it this same season he left us in this same position 13th, we have been protecting this players alot, we have very lazy players that has already been pampered, we give players power over mangers that's has been our problem in this united, see now you guys are still saying the coach should change tactics to suit this lazy good for nothing players, but if the go to other clubs they will start running and marking but in united they will never do that like Rashford and Sancho etc. Is only man united stupid board and we supporters that give players power in all the clubs, we have still not learn our lesson. let this coach continue with his tactics because it exposés the lazy players like it exposés Rashford etc, any player that can't suit in this system should be sold, and be replaced with hungry talented players, look at Liverpool, arsenal, man city players that are all talented and hungry, that's what we need to change these our predicament next season. GGMU 💯
UrPapa
0
start with this line up if Man utd won matches.
[image]
Is this different from what we have been seeing? 😂
Bacabdosy
0
the problem is not with the system but with the players more especially defenders lucking confidence to play the ball upwards they are not pushing the lines, compare man city or Liverpool defenders once they have the ball they push the lines to un opponent half and play their but our mmmmmmm it's difficult yoro, de light and mazurraoi
Fact’s 💯💯
Bacabdosy
2
JUSTICE FOR MAN UNITED!!! .... Man United fans, don't be fooled by Media. this year United has just lost only one Game but media exaggerates like United is a failure. Any player who doesn't match the system of the coach should go and leave space for new players. no player is the sporting director
[image]
You said the best I don’t know why we fan’s always think those players can’t do the best for his coach if he wish but must of those Utd players are lazy to wear the Jersey. Big respect to Harry he deserves the respect in the team💯💯
Fokbeklps
1
Stubborn. Don’t know why in the first place M.U spent so much to get him. Should go for manager with Premier League experience
MukisaGerald
0
Mumu man that's what you guys said during ten hang era and he changed his system still got sacked
The problem they use the wrong system with wrong players
Andrewtembo9641
0
Give Gary the job hope is going to fix it Mr talker
FaisalTanveer
1
start with this line up if Man utd won matches.
pythagorasofficial
0
Once a new like this about Man Utd’s coach is coming out. Just know that It’s about to go down!
junaeilpsu
2
The system of 3:4:3 has completely failed to work but Amorim still doesn't want to change, why can't he change the system until he gets the players he want ? am not yet convinced whether Amorim wants the team to progress or not , and the team doesn't progress, what will he be doing for the team? You want to 3:4:3 with three defenders but still you have five defenders on pitch .
Mumu man that's what you guys said during ten hang era and he changed his system still got sacked
MukisaGerald
1
The system of 3:4:3 has completely failed to work but Amorim still doesn't want to change, why can't he change the system until he gets the players he want ? am not yet convinced whether Amorim wants the team to progress or not , and the team doesn't progress, what will he be doing for the team? You want to 3:4:3 with three defenders but still you have five defenders on pitch .
Olilatonny95
2
JUSTICE FOR MAN UNITED!!! .... Man United fans, don't be fooled by Media. this year United has just lost only one Game but media exaggerates like United is a failure. Any player who doesn't match the system of the coach should go and leave space for new players. no player is the sporting director
Covenant0001
5
These players are too lazy,which system did they want to adapt to? After how many coach!
Bisacinsu
3
the problem is not with the system but with the players more especially defenders lucking confidence to play the ball upwards they are not pushing the lines, compare man city or Liverpool defenders once they have the ball they push the lines to un opponent half and play their but our mmmmmmm it's difficult yoro, de light and mazurraoi
maubdkmsu
1
nonsense leave our club alone mf