Ruben Amorim told to solve ‘huge’ Man United problem – Insider
Ruben Amorim must address his Man United side’s defensive issues as a priority in the coming weeks, according to the club’s former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the issues are becoming a “huge” problem for United.
Amorim’s side have kept just one clean sheet in five games so far, and have shown a particular vulnerability from corners and set-pieces.
In those five games, United have conceded eight goals, including two against Bodo/Glimt, two against Arsenal and three at home against Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal capitalised on those issues, finding both goals in their 2-0 win from corners, while Forest’s first goal in their 3-2 win at Old Trafford highlighted the problem.
As a result, Brown has insisted that United must resolve their set-piece issues before they can make progress elsewhere as they will continue to ship goals.
Man United told they must resolve defensive issues as a priority
United’s current goal difference of +1, in comparison to Liverpool’s +18, Chelsea’s +17 and Arsenal’s +14 shows the true difference between the Red Devils and the league leaders.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in coaching at the top level after spending time as the assistant manager to the likes of Ron Atkinson and Roy Keane on top of his scouting experience, insisted that defensive stability should be the club’s top priority.
“I don’t trust any side that can’t defend,” he told Football Insider.
“If you look back at old Man United teams, you had Pallister and Bruce as a solid two, then you had Ferdinand and Vidic and so on.
“Even the current top teams, Liverpool and Man City, have always been strong defensively. United aren’t.
“They’re all over the place at the back, they can’t keep a clean sheet and are giving goals away for fun.
“Corners are the biggest issue. Arsenal are very, very good at them and United are very, very bad, so you put those together and it was no surprise the way it went.
“But it’s a huge issue for United and one Amorim desperately needs to resolve.
“These are the things that matter most, before you start experimenting with different positions and patterns of play, you’ve got to get some solidity in your side.
“It’s unfashionable, but it’s so important. If you keep shipping goals you’re going to struggle to win games, and if you keep clean sheets you’ll win more often.
“It really is as simple as that.”
In other news, what Dan Ashworth told scouts ahead of dramatic Man United exit.
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