Ruben Amorim ‘doesn’t have his two most important Man United players’
Ruben Amorim is still lacking the two most crucial men in his Man United squad until he can make priority signings at wing-back, says Paul Merson.
The Portuguese manager has looked to continue to use the 3-4-3 system he previously employed at Sporting since he took charge of the Red Devils, but Sky Sports pundit Merson does not believe the 39-year-old currently has the right players for the wide positions in that set up.
The former Arsenal man has also suggested it may be hard for the new Man United boss to make the changes he needs to his squad due to financial rules.
Speaking about the options available to Amorim on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (1:30pm), Merson said: “When [Arne] Slot goes in at Liverpool there’s nothing to be changes, he just goes in, picks the same team virtually, a little tweak here and there.
“This needs ohhh the whole lot. As Tim [Sherwood] says, the amount of players they’ve got to get rid of. How are they gonna get rid of them?
“If there was no fair play rule, wouldn’t be a problem, they’d just go bang, wallop, crash, get them in, get them in. That isn’t the case, it’s going to take time.
“They’ve got to get wing-backs. They haven’t got wing-backs. He wants to play with wing-backs. When you’re playing this way that is the most important two players in your team in my opinion… he hasn’t got them so he needs to get them straight away.”
While Amad Diallo has impressed in that role under Amorim, Merson is unconvinced he will be a long-term option in that positon. Asked if the Ivory Coast international is the answer he added: “He’s ok but when you’re talking, we’re looking at Man United now, you’re looking at top-drawer. When you play three at the back week in, week out, they have to be top, top drawer in my opinion.”
Amad Diallo not enough at wing-back for Man United
Football Insider Opinion
With less than a month until the transfer window opens again, it would be a big surprise if those at Old Trafford are not looking for potential wing-back signings.
Amorim has raised eyebrows with his rotation already since arriving in the Premier League, and that includes in the wing-back position.
Already, the likes of Amad, Antony, Diogo Dalot, Tyrell Malacia and Noussair Mazroui have all featured in that position in just four Man United games under the new manager.
That suggests he has not yet found the right options he want to use in those positions for the Red Devils up until this point.
Considering how important in that role are to this system, having to do work both defensively and in attack, it is a position Man United will need to have the ideal options for if Amorim is to persist with this set-up.
As a result, there will surely be major questions if this position is not added to in January, and answers will be needed as to why they moved for Amorim, if they do not now give him the players to work in the way he wants to.
In other news, an update has been issued on Diogo Dalot’s future at Man United.
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