Alan Shearer blasts failed Ruben Amorim tactic after Newcastle hammer Man United
Alan Shearer was scathing in his criticism of Ruben Amorim’s tactics after Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Despite the absence of Eddie Howe on the touchline, the Magpies took a huge step forward in their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next year with their victory against Man United.
A Newcastle brace from Harvey Barnes and goals from midfield duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes saw Ruben Amorim’s side suffer their 14th Premier League defeat of the season.
In spite of showing promising signs in the opening exchanges, with Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho combining on the break to level the scores before the break, a second-half capitulation saw Man United well beaten.
All-time Premier League top goalscorer and ex-Newcastle forward Shearer has criticised Amorim’s management as the Portuguese coach is asking his players to execute a tactic which they are “not very good at”.
Ruben Amorim ‘asking a lot’ of his players following another defeat
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast on Monday (14 April), Shearer said: “Their season is not playing at St James’ Park in the Premier League, it’s been a disaster so it’s basically over. Their season is Thursday [vs Lyon in the Europa League].
“What I find interesting is the fascination in the Premier League and in football, that you have to play out from the back and they [Man United] are not very good at it. They’ve got a goalkeeper who is not very good at playing out from the back, yet they insist on doing it.
“When you are doing that at St James’ Park with the way that Newcastle press and how much energy they’ve got and how strong they are, if you aren’t very good at it then Newcastle will pick you apart by identifying your weakness and that’s exactly what they did.
“Newcastle forced them into errors, but they just kept on doing it and I’m thinking that a managers job is to make the players and the team better.
“He [Amorim] is asking a lot of those Man United players to do something which they can’t do because they aren’t very good at playing out from the back.”
More flexible approach needed from Ruben Amorim
Football Insider Verdict
Shearer made the point that sometimes managers need to focus on getting the best out of what they have got, regardless of their tactically preferences.
With the way in which Newcastle pressured the Man United backline, every time they played it out from the back, there was a sense of anticipation from the home support.
It was no surprise when Atlay Bayindir, who replaced Andre Onana following two individual errors midweek against Lyon, was forced into gifting possession to Joelinton for Newcastle’s fourth goal.
| Newcastle stats | Manchester United stats |
| Possession – 48% | Possession – 52% |
| Total shots – 13 | Total shots – 9 |
| On target – 6 | On target – 5 |
| Off target – 7 | Off target – 2 |
At this moment, Amorim does not have the personnel to play his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, but his stubbornness to see this is not helping the situation.
With Man United’s current options, it feels a more direct style would be suited, getting the likes of Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund utilising their pace with Bruno Fernandes as the supplier.
The difficulties Amorim has had this term make clear why he was thought to be reluctant to take the job mid-season, but having done so he has not adapted enough to get a tune out the squad at his disposal.