Jamie Carragher has pointed out what he believes to be Ruben Amorim’s biggest mistake since taking over as Manchester United’s manager.
Amorim, previously seen as one of Europe’s top managerial talents after his success with Sporting Lisbon, was appointed in November to replace Erik ten Hag. The 39-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for a third year, with the aim of rejuvenating United after a poor start to the Premier League season, where they won only three of their first nine games, leading to Ten Hag’s dismissal.
A Mixed Start for Amorim
Amorim’s early period as United’s manager has been a mixture of highs and lows. He led the team to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester City, thanks to late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo, but also faced disappointing defeats, including losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. His momentum, however, was halted following a crucial decision in the EFL Cup quarter-final against Tottenham.
Carragher’s Criticism
On Sky Sports, Carragher criticized Amorim for making too many changes to the team in the Spurs match, viewing it as a key mistake. He argued that it disrupted the positive momentum United had gained from their derby win over City.
“The big mistake he made was the team he picked at Tottenham,” Carragher stated. “Not because it was a cup game, but because of the momentum they had after beating Manchester City. You needed to keep that going.”
Amorim made five changes from the team that won against City, but the gamble didn’t pay off. United were knocked out of the cup with a 4-3 loss, despite a valiant comeback from 3-0 down. Defensive mistakes proved costly, and the defeat drained the team’s morale.
Consequences of Rotation
Carragher stressed that the momentum from the City win could have been a turning point for United, but the defeat to Spurs instead led to more struggles, with United suffering three consecutive league losses and slipping to 14th in the table.
“The buzz from the City win was massive—beating Pep Guardiola and their biggest rivals,” Carragher added. “To go to Tottenham and make those changes wasn’t necessary. Now, they’ve lost three league games in a row, and they’re in a really poor position.”
Amorim’s Challenges
Carragher’s criticism highlights the challenges Amorim faces:
- Maintaining Momentum: The heavy rotation disrupted the team’s rhythm, halting their progress.
- Defensive Issues: Defensive errors and a lack of stability at the back continue to hinder the team.
- Balancing Rotation and Stability: Amorim needs to find a way to rotate his squad without losing consistency.
Looking Ahead
With United preparing for their match against Newcastle, Amorim needs to rebuild the squad’s confidence, address defensive weaknesses, and strike a balance between rotation and stability. How he navigates these challenges will determine whether he can get United back on track and meet the high expectations at Old Trafford.
