RUBEN AMORIM STRUGGLES AS MAN UTD BRUNO FERNANDES ISSUE PERSISTS
Manchester United's draw with Forest exposed deep flaws in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system. The tactical analysis reveals a Bruno Fernandes dilemma, the need for Kobbie Mainoo, and a critical shortage of effective wing-backs at Old Trafford.
The issue of Fernandes
Mainoo is essential.
Wing-backs are required.
ALAN SHEARER URGES KOBBIE MAINOO TO LEAVE MANCHESTER UNITED IN JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW
Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes claim Kobbie Mainoo must leave Manchester United to save his career after losing his place under Amorim.
Alan Shearer thinks Kobbie Mainoo should leave Manchester United since he's not getting enough playing time. Mainoo hasn't started a single Premier League game this season, only appearing as a substitute 11 times under coach Ruben Amorim.
In Monday's 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, Mainoo came off the bench and got a nice welcome from the Old Trafford crowd.
There's been a lot of talk about Mainoo leaving United recently. With the January transfer window coming up, it's unclear what will happen.
Clubs like Chelsea, West Ham, and Napoli are supposedly interested in signing Mainoo, but reports say United doesn't want to let him leave in January, despite all the rumours.
Shearer explained why leaving United might be good for Mainoo and actually help United too.
The coach clearly doesn't rate Kobbie Mainoo that much. If you can't break into the team when they're struggling, there's a problem, Shearer told Betfair.
It seems like it'd be better for everyone if he moved on.
We've seen this before with Manchester United players who don't fit into the manager's plans. He's not afraid to get rid of them, loan them out, or sell them. It looks like that might happen here.
I'm not part of the club. I don't know what his attitude is like. But from the outside, it looks like it would be best for him to leave and play some football in January.
Whether it's a loan or a permanent move, we'll have to wait. But if you're not playing, you need to think about leaving.
When asked about Mainoo's lack of playing time, Amorim admitted the reasons behind his choices.
I see him [Mainoo] as a starter like the other players, Amorim said last month. I just have to make a choice, and recently it hasn't been Kobbie.
I don't know about the future. Like with Casemiro, he wasn't playing, and then he did. I just want to win, and I don't care who plays.
United legend Paul Scholes agreed with Shearer, saying Mainoo might be better off leaving Old Trafford. He also responded to Amorim's comments.
This kid [Mainoo] is being wasted, not playing on a team that can't control the game, Scholes wrote on Instagram, replying to Amorim's recent quotes.
I hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it's probably best for him now. Enough is enough.
SIR ALEX FERGUSON IDENTIFIES THREE KEY SIGNINGS HELPING RUBEN AMORIM TRANSFORM MANCHESTER UNITED’S CURRENT FORM
Sir Alex Ferguson backs Ruben Amorim but warns a Premier League title may be a decade away, praising star keeper Senne Lammens.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Man United legend, thinks it could be a decade or so before the club's back on top. But he's still supporting the current manager, Ruben Amorim.
Ferguson won a ton during his 26 years there: 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and a couple of Champions League wins.
Since he left in 2013, Man United hasn't won either of those competitions again.
The 2024-25 season was rough. Amorim came in mid-season, and the team finished 15th, their worst showing ever in the Premier League.
Things are a bit better this season. They're currently sixth, just two points outside the Champions League spots.
Ferguson told Press Box PR in Bahrain that he's behind Amorim as he tries to get Man United back to the top of English soccer.
He pointed to Liverpool's long wait for a title when talking about how long it might take Man United to win the Premier League again:
"He's got a good attitude, but it's tough," Ferguson said. I remember when I started, Liverpool was the team to beat. They were winning everything, but then it took them 31 years to win the league again.
We're in the same boat now. It could be ten, maybe eleven years, because that's just how things go. We have to be smart and make sure we're bringing in the right players.
Ferguson thinks Man United's recent signings have helped them this season.
He's been talking up goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who came over from Royal Antwerp for about £21.7 million.
The young Belgian has become the starting goalie and has made some great saves in his first 10 Premier League games.
Ferguson said Lammens could become a key player and mentioned Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as good additions too.
"I think getting the goalie [Lammens] was a smart move," Ferguson said.
He's only 23, quick, and a good size, with good feet and hands. I think they needed someone like that. United has always had players that others can look up to, and I think he could be one of those guys.
The other two, [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Matheus] Cunha, look like they'll help us get back to where we need to be.