Rio Ferdinand Slams Amorim’s Stubborn Tactics After Manchester United’s Brentford Defeat
Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford has ignited fierce criticism, and none louder than from Rio Ferdinand, who openly laid the blame on manager Rúben Amorim. The club legend, speaking after the match, described the result as the direct consequence of Amorim’s refusal to adapt when things were clearly going wrong.
United entered the game under pressure to deliver a strong performance after an inconsistent run, but instead, they were outplayed from the first whistle. Brentford’s energy, structure, and tactical sharpness overwhelmed United, leaving them stranded in mid-table and raising doubts about whether Amorim is capable of bringing the stability fans demand.
On his Vibe with FIVE podcast, Ferdinand vented his frustration, questioning the manager’s decisions. He highlighted Amorim’s insistence on sticking with a struggling midfield setup and a system that repeatedly exposed the defence to Brentford’s counterattacks. To Ferdinand, this was nothing short of tactical stubbornness.
Analysts also joined the chorus of disapproval, pointing out how Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3 formation and high line left glaring gaps behind the wing-backs. Brentford ruthlessly took advantage, and even as the game slipped away, Amorim hesitated to make substitutions. Ferdinand branded this as naïve, adding that sometimes a coach must abandon pride and change the plan to avoid handing the opposition easy opportunities.
Supporters were just as vocal, taking to social media to question Amorim’s judgement. The hashtag “#AmorimOut” briefly trended, with fans describing the situation as a repeat of old mistakes — the wrong system at the wrong time.
When asked after the game, Amorim defended his approach, acknowledging the team lacked balance and struggled in transition, but he avoided making promises about tactical changes. Instead, he insisted his squad still needs time to adjust.
The defeat, however, leaves little room for patience. With key fixtures ahead, including a clash against an in-form Tottenham, Amorim must quickly prove he can adapt or face even louder calls for change. As Ferdinand put it, the Premier League punishes inflexibility: those who fail to adjust rarely last long.
