Manchester United Ruben Amorim has battled to impose his playing philosophy on the club. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Is Ruben Amorim’s project at Manchester United in danger of imploding, after another tepid display in the derby?
While many of his backers feel it’s too early into his reign to start looking elsewhere, patience seems to be wearing thin. The stick currently being used to beat the Portuguese manager with is United’s poor form in front of goal. They are apparently in the company of relegation-threatened Leicester on that front since Amorim’s arrival.
Many have pointed to the form of club castaways like Marcus Rashford and Antony elsewhere as a sign of Amorim’s failings.
Comparisons with the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojland were inevitable. They have done nothing to dispel the notion that they are way out of their depth at a club that was spoiled for choice with some of the world’s best attacking talent in its pomp.
However, Amorim’s supporters would likely argue that much of the mess at Old Trafford is not of his making. They will point fingers at the disastrous reign of predecessor Eric ten Hag, which has cast a long shadow over the former giants.
Amorim needs time to implement his style of play at the club, they argue.
That may be a fair argument, but is there enough in his first few months to suggest that things will miraculously fall into place with a few signings?
That’s where the case for the former Sporting boss begins to unravel. Club legend Roy Keane was scathing in his criticism of United’s form under the new boss. He questioned whether the players at his disposal are worse than those of the teams around him in the bottom half of the table.
And he’s got a point. Surely United’s players are better than those of Brentford and Crystal Palace, who are both above United?
Another club legend, Gary Neville, may have touched at the issue at the heart of United’s malaise. He slammed the ‘robotic and micromanaged’ performance, arguing that the players looked like they were following a script in the drab stalemate lacking passion.
Could he be right?
Is the rise of the micromanager (sounds like a Star Wars movie) heralded by the likes of Pep Guardiola is killing the game?
Is it breeding a generation of footballers who need to be told exactly where to stand, when to attack and when to defend? And does it mark an end to creativity and self-expression on the field?
Perhaps I’m being more than a bit melodramatic here. But one need only look at the damage done by the absence of the increasingly rare ‘flair’ player to teams’ aspirations. Bukayo Saka at Arsenal comes to mind, here, under another Pep acolyte, Mikel Arteta.
The phenomenon could explain Amorim’s inability to get the best out of the current United squad, unless they can fit into his mold.
The continued success of such ‘PlayStation’ managers – Arne Slot at Liverpool is another example – means they will continue to be in demand. Football fans will continue to be the losers, however, and drab encounters like Sunday’s ‘Kevin de Bruyne testimonial’ will become more commonplace.
There is hope for Red Devils fans that Amorim will find his feet next season after the expected raft of changes to suit his style. And maybe they won’t care if passion is sacrificed on the altar of success ... For now, at least.