Paul Merson has urged Ruben Amorim to rethink his tactical approach at Manchester United, warning that the Portuguese coach cannot continue with a system that does not suit the players at his disposal.
Writing in his column for Sky Sports, the former England international described Amorim’s record at United as “unthinkable” and argued that the squad lacks the qualities needed for his preferred 3-4-3 set-up.
“The way he wants to play is a worry,” Merson said. “He’ll stick with three at the back and wing-backs, because that’s how he got here. But it doesn’t fit this United team.”
Merson believes Amorim, who is yet to win back-to-back league matches after nearly a year in charge, might have been better suited to Chelsea. “They’ve got world-class wing-backs in Reece James and Malo Gusto, and the best holding midfielder in Moisés Caicedo,” he noted. “It would suit them. United don’t have that.”
United’s midfield, Merson argued, lacks energy, while the wide players are “nowhere near good enough” to make the system work. The result has been inconsistency and growing frustration among supporters.
The warning comes after United’s 2-2 draw with Burnley, where a late penalty was needed to secure a point. Merson singled out Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha as the club’s most reliable players but stressed that the team cannot afford to be overly dependent on two individuals.
“You’ve got to be able to change now and then,” Merson added. “Tweaks don’t mean you abandon your beliefs. But after a year, he still doesn’t know his best team. That’s a big worry.”
With Arsenal flying high after a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and Liverpool scraping a late win at Burnley, United’s faltering start has left Amorim under pressure. Critics have questioned whether his methods can work in the Premier League, a league that often demands flexibility.
For now, Amorim remains firm in his philosophy. But unless results improve, Merson’s warning may prove prophetic: adapt or risk being left behind.
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