“Ruben Amorim is the main reason that Man United is going through this rough patch. The root cause of the problem Man United is facing could have been fixed by him when he freshly joined as the manager but he decided to ignore” – This is according to Jamie Carragher as he points out the single ‘MAJOR error’ Ruben Amorim has committed as Manchester United manager following the derby triumph, which has placed the team in a ‘difficult spot.’
Jamie Carragher has identified what he considers to be Ruben Amorim’s most significant mistake since taking over as Manchester United manager. Known for his success at Sporting Lisbon, Amorim was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s replacement in November, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with an option for a one-year extension. Tasked with reversing United’s fortunes after a poor start to the Premier League season, where they won only three of their first nine matches, Amorim faced an uphill battle.
His tenure began with mixed results, including a draw against Ipswich, a win over Everton, and consecutive league losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. However, United briefly rallied with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Manchester City, featuring goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo. Despite the boost from this win, Carragher pointed to a critical misstep Amorim made in the aftermath.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender criticized Amorim’s decision to heavily rotate the squad for an EFL Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur. Carragher argued that this disrupted the momentum gained from the derby triumph. “The one big mistake he made was the team he picked at Tottenham,” Carragher remarked. “Not because it was a cup game, but because of the momentum they had after beating Manchester City. You had to keep that going.”
Amorim made five changes to the side that defeated City, but the gamble backfired as United fell 4-3 in a chaotic match. Despite staging a spirited comeback from 3-0 down, individual defensive errors proved costly, and United were eliminated from the competition. Carragher emphasized the significance of the decision, stating, “The buzz from the City win was massive—beating Pep Guardiola and their biggest rivals. 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.”
Following the Spurs defeat, United’s form in the league deteriorated further, with three consecutive losses leaving them 14th in the table before a crucial clash with Newcastle. Carragher’s analysis highlights the challenges Amorim faces in maintaining momentum and consistency, especially at a club with Manchester United’s high expectations. His remarks underscore how crucial it is for managers to strike the right balance between squad rotation and building rhythm, particularly after a morale-boosting win.
Amorim’s decision to rotate may have been influenced by fixture congestion or player fatigue, but the outcome has placed additional pressure on his tenure. To turn things around, he must focus on restoring confidence within the squad, addressing defensive lapses, and finding the right balance between stability and rotation. The coming fixtures will be pivotal in determining whether Amorim can guide United out of their current slump and deliver the results fans demand.
