This is according to Erik Ten Hag as he advises Ruben Amorim given that Liverpool’s goals highlight three Manchester United players Ruben Amorim need to offload quickly.
Newcastle wasted no time asserting dominance over Manchester United on Monday night, taking the lead within four minutes and likely leaving Ruben Amorim questioning the performances of three key defenders.
The Portuguese manager has faced a turbulent start at Old Trafford, with his team now suffering three straight losses under his guidance. The challenges only intensify as Newcastle, Liverpool, and Arsenal await in their upcoming fixtures. Tasked with rejuvenating United’s form following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, Amorim has struggled to bring about meaningful change, and Newcastle added to his woes with an early goal from Alexander Isak.
A well-placed cross from Lewis Hall found Isak unmarked in the United box, allowing him to head home with ease for a 1-0 advantage. The defensive trio of Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Lisandro Martinez were left scrambling, raising doubts about their reliability. Matters worsened when Newcastle doubled their lead, with Joelinton finding the net after connecting with a cross from Anthony Gordon.
Once again, United’s defense appeared disorganized, offering little resistance as Joelinton capitalized on the opportunity. The lack of urgency and cohesion from De Ligt, Maguire, and Martinez underscored a critical issue Amorim must address moving forward. Given their pivotal roles in Amorim’s tactical setup, it seems inevitable that reinforcements will be on the agenda for 2025.
The current defensive lineup has drawn criticism from fans and analysts, with many agreeing that drastic changes are required to elevate United’s performance to the standard expected at Old Trafford. Without significant improvement, the defensive frailties will continue to undermine Amorim’s tenure.
