MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ruben Amorim should change his three-at-the-back system, claims Alan Shearer.
The Portuguese boss, 39, has had a difficult start to life at Old Trafford.
Following Monday night's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle, Amorim admitted that relegation is "a possibility".
Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest is Football, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker called the defeat embarrassing - while he also questioned Amorim's decision to play veterans Casemiro and Christian Eriksen together in a midfield duo within his 3-4-3.
Responding, Shearer asked: "How long does he go on persisting with his system?
"Because clearly his players, the players he has got in that squad, can't play the way he wants them to play. How long does he persist with it?"
Fellow pundit Micah Richards responded: "As long as he can? I don't think he changes his ways whatsoever, because then he's admitted defeat."
Shearer hit back: "Really? When you say 'admit defeat', is it not to say 'Well okay, I've tried that way, my players can't play that way so I have to change for the benefit of the team'?"
Richards responded: "It's not like Man Utd were great three years ago and then Ten Hag came in and they were really bad, and he's trying to... they've not played well for years and they've tried every formation possible.
"So if you're a manager, you're not going to then doubt yourself and go into a different system, a system that you don't know.
"I think this is just one that is going to take a lot of time. Obviously the players are not good enough to fit into his ideas at this moment in time. But if he starts changing now..."
After Shearer cut in saying "they're getting worse Micah", Richards went on: "I think sometimes you have to get worse before you go forward, they've tried everything else."
Shearer went on to add of Amorim: "I bet he thinks 'What on Earth have I walked into?' Both on and off the pitch."
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher broadly agrees with Richards' assessment.
He wrote on social media: "Ruben Amorim needs to get results, as we have seen big jobs getaway from young managers in the past, eg Graham Potter at Chelsea.
"But he can’t change his whole idea of 3/4/3 otherwise what was the point in bringing him in?"
'A BIT EMBARRASSING'
Quizzed if talk of a relegation battle is "embarrassing", Amorim said on Monday: "It is also my fault.
"The team is not improving. It is a little bit lost in this moment and it is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games.
"I think people are tired of excuses at this club. This club needs a shock."
Marcus Rashford returned to the matchday squad for the Newcastle match, after being frozen out for four games.
But even with United needing a goal, Amorim elected not to bring on the forward.
The Red Devils, who sit 14th in the Prem table, are next in action on Sunday when they face a daunting trip to leaders Liverpool.
luckytv
1
he thinks he likes he in the Manchester United Board. This one for sure
olaoluwa2024
0
the cough should work on the team set pieces
Gberto
0
ETH was sacked too soon. This happened when he got hold of the dressing room and solved some defensive problems United had last year
foabdeprty
0
People think that because they played football, they can coach, too much opinions, our current players are not good enough
is the manager good enough when one system is not working u adjust
Lupbiopst
2
Don't change it let your system stand. If the players are not good for that, then let them out of the team.🚶🚶🚶
lbcrna
0
No systems have worked in recent memory, we keep firing coaches, could it me our current players are not good enough, including our overrated captain who gives away the ball 10 times to make a good pass or opportunity. It’s not about system it’s about the players commitment to the jersey.
this same players that you claim are not good enough eg mctominay who was not good as a starter is now the best midfielder in seria'A with Napoli, Sancho who look lost and below average is now doing well at Chelsea, so I don't think this players are bad , something is just wrong with the system at United.
Voypr
0
The system of Amorim is not working currently and we can not keep on losing games like that. He knows he does not have players for his system yet so why not at least try another system for now.
How long do you think that would have lasted, our players are not as good as we think
Voypr
0
But Ruud van Nistelrooy was playing well and winning games with the same squad ,
No systems have worked in recent memory, we keep firing coaches, could it me our current players are not good enough, including our overrated captain who gives away the ball 10 times to make a good pass or opportunity. It’s not about system it’s about the players commitment to the jersey.
lbcrna
0
People think that because they played football, they can coach, too much opinions, our current players are not good enough
But Ruud van Nistelrooy was playing well and winning games with the same squad ,
gm11
1
Not they are getting worse it's more they aren't good enough to play the system and won't ever be good to do so. You need a full team with passion. We don't have it. Until then we will struggle
Maubcptuyz
0
Manchester United must work on set pieces they failing n that part
Maubcptuyz
0
Man united coach is very stubborn,why sticking only to one formation which is not helping.soon the fans will lose hope in him
Not us
Maubcptuyz
2
He mustn’t change his methods for you guys,he must do it his ways,his boys will get used to it,have you seen how City used to run to get the ball back,when they lose it,same as Liverpool they run to get the ball,United players are lazy bro,they want it easy we can’t tolerate that,stick to your methods coach results will find you
King_OluwaBiggie
0
Man united coach is very stubborn,why sticking only to one formation which is not helping.soon the fans will lose hope in him
speak for urself dude! we the fans are behind him...what could the previous coaches do with this set of trash players? face the fact we need an overhaul....lvg,jose,ole & eth couldn't do shit with this dudes....Ruben will have to bin most of 'em. the formation isnt the problem but the club itself is in tatters
King_OluwaBiggie
0
amorim is taking united on a level that's not making the united fan happy,the question comes in like this, how will it look if the team get relegated while in his hands just because of his system that he cannot change
what were the previous coaches able to do with four at the back.....face the truth we have trash players.
Tuyabcein
1
amorim is taking united on a level that's not making the united fan happy,the question comes in like this, how will it look if the team get relegated while in his hands just because of his system that he cannot change
wimlmpru
1
why don't they go into management??
faealmnptu
1
Man united coach is very stubborn,why sticking only to one formation which is not helping.soon the fans will lose hope in him
UHtain
0
Only Jose Mourinho can renovate United
Sadmnops
0
I strongly support Allan Shearer's suggestion that Amorim should his newly introduced system. this because the quality of players presently in the squad don't have the capacity and skills required by a 3-4-3 system of play. Van Nysteroy won his matches with 4-2-3-1 system. in case he adopts the former system, the Mainoo and ugarte should man the defensive midfield.
rudacdirsy
0
the more he strike on the fake system they will beat him up to death this pl bro
Dowaeiklot
1
it's true a team with one formation is ridiculous they should set formation according to opposition team.
Dotabcilm
1
As a Coach, you should know all kinds of systems. What kind of Coach knows just one system? United under ETH won two trophies and their winning rate is better than Amorim.
Dotabcilm
0
People think that because they played football, they can coach, too much opinions, our current players are not good enough
The system of Amorim is not working currently and we can not keep on losing games like that. He knows he does not have players for his system yet so why not at least try another system for now.
Dotabcilm
1
That's what I talking about. He should have a plan B, C, D etc. His main system is not producing any results.
Voypr
2
People think that because they played football, they can coach, too much opinions, our current players are not good enough