Jamie Carragher has shared his thoughts on Manchester United’s recent struggles under new manager Ruben Amorim, following their disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle on Monday night.
The loss marks the Red Devils’ fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, just seven points clear of the relegation zone.
With the team’s confidence slipping, Carragher criticized United’s tactical approach and pointed out one player who, according to him, has been negatively affected by Amorim’s decision to deploy a back three.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher singled out Lisandro Martinez, highlighting his difficulties when United switched to a three-man defense.
“Martinez looks worse in a back three, or at least he looks worse under Ruben Amorim,” Carragher said.
The pundit recalled how, when Martinez first arrived at Old Trafford, he was skeptical about the Argentine’s height and ability to play as a central defender in a back four in the Premier League.
However, Martinez proved him wrong during his early days under Erik ten Hag.
Carragher suggested that a back three might have been a good fit for Martinez, providing him with the support of two larger players alongside him.
But in reality, he’s struggled in this new setup, as evidenced by his inability to cope with Joelinton’s header for Newcastle’s second goal.
United’s Defensive Woes and Lack of Leadership
Newcastle’s victory highlighted the issues at the back for United, as Alexander Isak gave the visitors the lead with a well-placed header in the fourth minute, having been left completely unmarked in the penalty area.
Martinez was again exposed during the match, unable to deal with Joelinton’s aerial threat, which led to another goal for the Magpies.
After the match, Gary Neville also voiced his concerns about United’s current form under Amorim.
Neville suggested that the Portuguese manager was facing a tough challenge and could be struggling to find solutions.
“He (Amorim) was resolute that he won’t change, but he must be suffering deep inside,” Neville said.
“I’m worried as well. It was really grim. That first half an hour was hard to watch as a United fan.”
Neville went on to question whether the current squad is good enough to match the standards of previous United teams managed by the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, and Louis van Gaal.
“I don’t think this group of players is of the quality that those managers had,” Neville stated.
“They weren’t good enough for Manchester United back then, but they were better than what we have now.”
Pundits Critique United’s Lack of Energy and Tactical Imbalance
As United’s struggles continue, pundits have been quick to point out recurring issues that have plagued the team for some time.
One major concern is the lack of energy and balance in midfield.
Neville reiterated this point after the defeat, emphasizing the problems with United’s midfield duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
“We knew a lot of what we saw on the pitch was going to happen,” Neville explained.
“Casemiro and Eriksen in midfield together just don’t seem to be working, and it leads to fewer goals.”
Carragher also echoed this criticism, mentioning how the defensive-minded approach, including the use of wing-backs like Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot, has stifled United’s attacking opportunities.
“That setup just doesn’t create enough going forward,” Carragher noted.
The Road Ahead for United Under Amorim
As Manchester United faces growing pressure, both Amorim and the players have a lot of work to do to turn things around.
The club’s tactical struggles and inconsistent performances have left fans and pundits alike questioning whether the current squad is capable of meeting the expectations at a club of United’s stature.
With key matches ahead and a crucial second half of the season approaching, Amorim’s decisions will be under close scrutiny as United looks to salvage its campaign and avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
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