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Most matches are won or lost in midfield. Managers have drilled that into players and it’s still the case today.
Few teams ask two players to go up against three when they aren’t equipped for the job and don’t get any help, so I found it bizarre Ruben Amorim did it against a side as athletic as Newcastle on Monday night.
I was at Old Trafford and could see the problem within a few minutes. By the time the Manchester United boss reacted, his team were 2-0 down and it was game over.
It was football suicide and unless Amorim changes either his system or the personnel, performances and results aren’t going to change – particularly worrying as United are down in 14th.
We know Amorim’s 3-4-3 worked extremely well for him at Sporting Lisbon but the Premier League is a ruthless place.
Only one team has won the title here playing that way and Antonio Conte’s Chelsea were blessed in having outstanding holding midfielders Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante – who did the running of two players – and Eden Hazard, who made sure opponents were often more worried about him than going on the front foot themselves. United have none of those assets.
Ruben Amorim has come in for criticism for his set up in Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat by Newcastle
United’s midfield of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were overrun by the Magpies
They are easy to play against and easy to beat. To play a formation where you’re outnumbered in midfield, and then give the extra running to 30-somethings Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, was a contradiction.
Even though things improved in the second half with the younger Kobbie Mainoo, it was largely because Newcastle were comfortably ahead and took their foot off the gas.
I’ve been impressed by Amorim since he arrived at Old Trafford but this was a first significant black mark. He must have known Newcastle are flying at the moment and his most energetic midfielder Manuel Ugarte was suspended. But the outcome still took him by surprise.
United fans will be wondering what he does next. Long term, if he wants to stick with 3-4-3, he is going to need a lot of new players. The problem isn’t just the midfielders.
There is a lack of legs in United’s back-line too. Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt were reluctant to step into midfield for fear of being exposed against Alexander Isak. At the other end, Newcastle were prepared to press and push forward, confident that Fabian Schar could cope one-on-one with Rasmus Hojlund.
If United had a back three of Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba and Mickey van de Ven, they could be far more aggressive. Given he’s got the group he’s inherited for now, Amorim has to make some tweaks.
It may not fit in with the United philosophy of open attacking football at the Theatre of Dreams but this is not a time to worry about that. They need results. If he’s determined to play with wing-backs even during these difficult times, he should at least add an extra midfielder to become 3-5-2.
It would mean the distances between his midfield players would be closer. At the moment, every team is over-running United, not just Newcastle, but Bournemouth and Wolves also in recent games.
United have also suffered home defeats to the likes of Bournemouth (pictured) and Nottingham Forest in recent weeks
Toby Collyer, 20, has made one Premier League appearance for the Red Devils this term
He could also make the pitch smaller by deliberately allowing opponents to have possession. Become more compact so that his defensive unit is closer together. They do have counter-attacking threats like Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho who could benefit from that.
It’s served Nottingham Forest well this season including in their win at Anfield. United are in a mess.
Their forwards lack the brilliance of Mohamed Salah or Isak. The midfielders don’t have the running power of Ryan Gravenberch or Rodri. Amorim has to try something.
Whether it’s giving young Toby Collyer a chance because he can get about the park or even putting Lisandro Martinez into midfield to allow Leny Yoro a run of games. One thing looks certain. Sticking to the current formula will lead to more failure.
