Stam slams Amorim’s tactics, but highlights three surprise players for praise

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam admits his old club took an unnecessary risk by appointing Ruben Amorim and switching to a back-three in mid-season.

Amorim played an untried combination of Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro as United lost 4-1 at Newcastle on Sunday, suffering a club record equalling 14th Premier League defeat of the season.

Stam, who won the Champions League and three Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, believes United should have chosen a head coach who was a better fit for the squad left behind by Erik ten Hag when he was sacked in late October.

One of the reasons Amorim is thought to have lost out to Arne Slot for the Liverpool job was his devotion to a back-three, with the Anfield hierarchy unwilling to compromise.

United, on the other hand, were prepared to adapt to the Portuguese coach’s 3-4-3 system, and even insisted on him moving from Sporting Lisbon halfway through the season.

‘It’s definitely a risky move, but it reflects how the club has been run over the last decade,’ said Stam.

‘Managers keep coming in, implementing their own systems, changing things around, and altering the squad. Players come and go, often at a high cost.

‘As a big club, you need to have a consistent philosophy – an identity. The club itself should have a clear way of playing, and then find a manager who fits that philosophy. Instead, what we’ve seen is players being brought in for one manager, then a different manager comes in and wants to change everything.

‘It’s a different way of thinking. Instead of constantly rebuilding around a new manager’s vision, the club should establish its philosophy and recruit managers who align with it. That way, you maintain consistency and avoid having to start from scratch every time.

‘In my playing days, I preferred having clarity and structure. Constantly changing systems can be frustrating because it’s hard to settle in and understand your role. Players need stability to thrive, and when you keep shifting philosophies, it disrupts progress.’

United have failed to see a ‘bounce’ in results and performances since installing Amorim. They are still in 14th place in the table, as they were when Ten Hag was fired, with the worst goal difference of any club outside the bottom five.

Speaking to FreeBets, Stam claimed that switching to a back-three has had an adverse effect on the entire team.

‘I think this squad was originally built for a 4-3-3 system,’ he added. ‘The players were recruited with that set-up in mind. Now, I’m not saying playing that system was necessarily more successful, but you can see that, in certain moments, when players are positioned within a 4-3-3, they feel more comfortable.

‘When Amorim came in and switched to a back-three – or a back-five, depending on how you see it – you could see the players struggling. They were having trouble understanding how to occupy certain areas and find space to get on the ball and make a difference. Particularly, the two players in the middle of the park were struggling.

‘They’re expected to defend, run a lot, and cover large areas of the pitch. But the squad doesn’t currently have players who are well-suited to do that effectively. It’s clear when you watch the games that they're struggling with the system. It’s not always their fault; it’s also down to the system itself, which at times leaves them unsure of what to do.

‘The way they’re playing now is quite predictable. With a 4-3-3, you have more flexibility to switch positions, rotate, and make it more difficult for the opposition. With a back-three or back-five, you might be more solid defensively, closing gaps and limiting the space for the opposition’s attackers.

‘That said, Amorim probably feels he needs different players to make this system work: players who can cover more ground, bring more danger going forward, and inject energy into the team. So far, it hasn’t been convincing.

‘Amorim has tried various players in different positions, but that’s normal for a new manager. He likely discussed his system with the owners when he joined United and made it clear that he wanted to implement his own style. And that’s natural. Any manager wants to establish their own way of playing.’

Amorim signed two young defenders, Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, in January while £59million summer signing Yoro returned to action under the new coach in December after fracturing a metatarsal on pre-season tour in LA.

Stam has been largely impressed by what he has seen so far as Amorim begins to mould a team that can meet his demands.

‘I think Dorgu is doing well,’ said the Dutchman. ‘He’s showing promise, energy, and has the stamina to go up and down the pitch. He’s showing improvement, which is what you want to see.

‘Yoro has been unlucky with injuries, so he hasn’t been fit consistently since joining. But he’s a young guy with the right tools. He’s solid defensively, has good pace, and can defend effectively in larger spaces. He’s also capable of driving forward with the ball.

‘However, he needs to improve when he’s in possession; finding the right passes and making the right decisions. That’s an area where his teammates, particularly the midfielders, need to support him by making themselves available for passes. It’s not all on him; it’s about the team working together.

‘As for Heaven, I’ve been impressed. He looks promising and shows great control over his game, especially in possession. He’s comfortable on the ball, drives forward with purpose, and understands when to step in or cover defensively.

‘He’s quick, has good awareness, and shows maturity in his decision-making, which is impressive for a young player at this level. Overall, he’s got a lot of potential.’