Update: Manchester United legend questions Ruben Amorim’s tactics and delivers brutal formation verdict News

Man United suffered another defeat in the Premier League last weekend and must bounce back against Lyon.

Jaap Stam believes Manchester United’s players are “struggling” in Ruben Amorim’s system.

Amorim immediately switched United’s formation to 3-4-3 after his appointment from Portugal in mid-November, however, the players have looked uncomfortable in the different shape.

There have been glimmers of progress, despite results continuing to be poor, though. United looked well organised in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Lyon last week, but Andre Onana made two mistakes and the French club snatched a 2-2 draw on home soil.

United must win the second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday night, although they head into that important clash after losing 4-1 against Newcastle in the Premier League.

There has been a debate in the media about Amorim’s formation since his arrival, and Stam has joined the conversation by suggesting it was a risk to appoint Amorim during the season.

“It’s definitely a risky move, but it reflects how the club has been run over the last decade,” said Stam about appointing a head coach who insisted on changing the team’s shape.

“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.”

Stam told Free Bets: “I think this squad was originally built for a 4-3-3 system. 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.”

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