Jamie Carragher says he was mystified by Ruben Amorim calling his Manchester United team "maybe the worst" in the club's history and believes it could backfire on the head coach.
The United boss gave his brutal assessment of his squad after the 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton, a result which leaves the Old Trafford side languishing in 13th place in the Premier League.
"In 10 games in the Premier League, we won two," said Amorim. "We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know that you want headlines, but I'm saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go, your headlines."
Carragher says United's struggles this season are clear to see and Amorim's strong words only serve to draw further criticism to the club and players.
"I don't know Man Utd's history as well as Gary Neville but I must say it was one of the most bizarre and ridiculous things I've ever heard a manager say," said Carragher on Sky Sports News ahead of Monday Night Football.
"Why you would make a comment like that… that's the type of comment a pundit would make, someone in my position, and you'd have to defend that. I don't know what he gains from that, what the benefit is.
"We all know it's a poor Man Utd team. They'd lost another game at home to Brighton, they'd done that in the last couple of years anyway. We know it's a tough season, we know it's a poor team. He has just loosened it up. That will be a quote that follows him for the rest of the season.
"He said to the journalists there, 'I'll give you your headline'. Why you would like to do that as a manager, I'll never know."
Carragher reckons the comments are unlikely to go down well with the squad and could present Amorim with a problem when he tries to motivate them ahead of games this season.
"It doesn't help you confidence-wise going forwards," said Carragher when asked about the impact of Amorim's words on the players.
"I've not got much sympathy for the players in the Man Utd dressing room, they've been a joke for a few years now. A few weeks ago, after they played Liverpool, where Lisandro Martinez was talking about the mentality that was different - I nearly couldn't stop laughing when I saw that. The amount of times Man Utd have thrown the towel in with bad performances over the last four or five years.
"What I would say is how can the manager go into the dressing room between now and the end of the season and continually try to build them up and give them belief to beat the opposition, whoever they come up against, when he has said they're one of the worst teams in Man Utd history? At no point can I see what he'll gain from that."
Man Utd transfers: Better to hold off until the summer, says Carra
As for United's poor form, Carragher insists they should hold fire on major signings until the summer, when they will have a better opportunity to bring in the players Amorim needs to make his system work.
"I don't think he's going to get the players he wants in January. We know it's a tough market to sell players or bring players in. It's doubly difficult this season because the European competitions have gone into January," said Carragher.
"If I'm Man Utd, I'd be keeping my powder dry for the summer, there's going to be a lot more movement there where you can get players in and get players out as well. What you don't want to do is end up spending money and then get to the summer and think these players aren't good enough to improve this team or the system.
"They're going to have to go through a lot of pain - we all know that and we accept that. I don't think there's too much mounting criticism around the manager. They've had a few good results away from home, against Arsenal in the FA Cup and Liverpool in the Premier League.
"We know it's going to be a rollercoaster because the players aren't good enough - they've shown that with different managers and different systems.
"I can't get away from the quote he said, I do not believe that was in his best interests at all."
noyaclmsy
1
this coach is so good, someone has to tell these useless players the truth. no need to sugar coat rubbish. it has been going on like this for a decade now and people still think these donkeys need to be protected for their under performance??? that's hilarious 😂😂😂. Amorim has spoken well of these donkeys, no clue of the coach's strategy after so many games and practices.... they are the weakest team in terms of physicality, mobility, mental strength, ball skills, game interpretation, decision making, defence, when to pass the ball, when to shoot etc. so how do you work with these bunch colts?? so pathetic 😭😔😭 I would say that too.. worst team in Man U history for real..
danailsty
0
It’s not right to do what they did the rest of the team are even afraid of making a mistake they can’t play to their fullest because one little mistake they are out
Vowdelmptu
0
what a bull sheet players like Garnacho,Bruno Fernandes and onana sell sell sell sell this three fucking players.
danailsty
0
Ten hag took Ronald and sancho this guy if he would be aloud to play with two players he would have too he said himself he only wanted two players from all of them he really wasn’t as successful as most of the players as a player himself he did good at spoting and just like ten hag at Ajax he decided he is the best well he isn’t and no coach on his good mind start coaching a teal like him and ten hag did you start coaching and litle by litle they implement their sistem and replace the player they don’t like they don’t get to a team and ridway start exhaling players for no reason
danailsty
0
And what I am saying is this is his own doing ten hag assortment was doing good he also start good and then he start destroying the team taking players out He is worst the ten hag
Napiknrsy
0
what Amorin said was a honest analysis of the current Man United sqaurd, alot of inconsistencies. Some of the players are not good enough for Man Utd.
Vowdelmptu
2
sell Bruno Fernandes and garnacho
danailsty
0
Specially when the manager is stupid
danailsty
0
Well then criticism start with the coach after rasford played good for him and he pulled him out the team
vacdeknouz
0
Management is not a easy business
vacdeknouz
0
Criticism is weak points in every one No body is perfect .
vacdeknouz
0
If you want to help the club Just give your good ideas and support Nothing is more valuable
vacdeknouz
0
I request all remarks But if you have a great and big ideas in your mind Suggest it and criticise not enough to make good use of it and for football
Ruycklnt
0
Most of the players play for their respective country so they must have something in them. Changing the system mid season wasn’t the smartest move. I haven’t heard a coach talking like this maybe just trying to cover himself/ his performance.
danailsty
0
I understand every coach wants to bring someone to his team but this is not the way plus he is just loosing games worsed then ten hag and the guy that hold the team until his arrival was doing so good with the team and he gets here and destroys a team like that
danailsty
0
And the thing is it took rashford when he was excited to play for him he came in and right on the first game he scored two goals in a game something we haven’t seen for over one season
danailsty
0
That is the problem here
danailsty
0
The thing is the new owner wants to cut down on costs and the new coach wants to do like ten hag bring his boys
Everblessed10
3
So you’re upset that you weren’t the one who made the comment?!😂, because he’s not wrong they are the worst team in Man United history but you and the rest can’t handle the truth
conadkmpru
0
Van Nisteroy was the perfect coach to move the team forward not as a permanent manager and then it could give the club a better assessment to look for something better this harsh approach for a coach burnt the clubs hands again premier league is not the same as other leagues where you can say that the coach is suitable for the job
conadkmpru
0
It is so ironic to put a player on the bench which cost the team lots of money and don't even give him a chance or win him back making him look negative instead of making him positive and work with him coz he was also a academy graduate whats wrong with the top management can't they see he is here to relegate the club and is here for the money all coaches are the same
danailsty
0
It is also true that snoring is making sure this will be the worsted ever
danailsty
0
What English guy you idiot what have you been drinking
Mejibray
0
This English players didn’t even coach a team before so STFU before you get slap on the face
danailsty
0
Think about it rashford only played one game and a few more minutes and score 3 goals then is excuse to exial rashford was the same as ten hag did to sancho how about garnacho tell me a coach comes in with a new sistem of game and doesn’t even give time for the players to adjust never start a game with the same players all he has in mind he kick players out so he can bring his boys didn’t you guys see this movie ounce ? I have seen it the only thing diferent is the director insted of ten hag is Amorim
Mejibray
0
It’s the truth what Amorim said.. current MU squad is the worst in history.. moreover the owners are also useless
danailsty
0
As long as Man U maintain this attitude they won’t get better only worst the same happend with ten hag he went after sancho saying that he wasn’t doing good on the training and he was kicked out the team rashford did the best game as armoring start coaching he scored more goal in the little time that he played for armoring then he scored the season before and this season before Amorim he seemed intusiastic the first thing amotim did was kick him out the team also garnacho the sensational player for the United all because the stupid new owner wants to cut down in salaries and Amorim wants to bring his boys even if he wants to get rid of some players that isn’t the way to do it if they don’t get rid of the new owner and Amorim they will go to relegation I garanty you the new owner since he came out with his policies of cutting down on spending he only got rats and leaking roof and the coach I need to say no more
macabiosu
0
Of course you wont know Cara. You never managed any team before
Kesadlor
2
amorim should also state that he is the worst coach in manU history 😜
towcloryz
0
carragher should be given that team and we see what he will do.useless
Kedanruz
0
but he put the worst 11 out there kept the players that actually makes a difference on the bench then turn around and say they're the worst. he'll get fired just like ten hag before some of those same players he's disparaging
Switzerland6276346
0
Jamie is a hypocrite! Just shut up and let Amorim do his job.