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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has endured a tough start to life in English top-flight football.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has delivered a candid and brutal assessment on the club's current woes under newly appointed manager Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese tactician took over from Erik Ten Hag in a bid to revive the Red Devils’ faltering season, but the results so far have been disappointing, with the team struggling to find form.
After 11 matches in charge across all competitions, Amorim's tenure has been marked by more losses than wins, securing just four victories against six defeats and one draw.
Speaking on the current state of affairs via his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former defender didn’t hold back.
He acknowledged that while a managerial change often brings hope for a "new manager bounce," United has yet to experience any significant improvement under Amorim’s guidance.
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22:46 - 31.12.2024
'We don't have that possibility' — Amorim casts doubt over Man United's January window activity
Ruben Amorim was candid about Manchester United's ability for the January transfer window.
"Yeah, Manchester United are in a bad way, man. We're in a terrible situation. Did we expect this? No. You expect some sort of new manager bounce, but we haven’t had that, really," Ferdinand said.
"It’s frustrating because this club is one of the biggest in the world, and to see it in this position is tough to watch."
Ferdinand did, however, praise Amorim’s communication style. The manager has been brutally honest in his post-match assessments, taking no prisoners when it comes to evaluating his team’s performances.
According to Ferdinand, Amorim’s transparency after games has stood out, especially when he stated, "I don’t like to arrive here and make excuses," a sentiment that resonated with the former United defender.
"I think it’s important to look at a couple of things. First, let’s look at the manager, Amorim. His communication after games has impressed me. He’s been very clear, very brutal in his assessments," he added.
"Over the years, there have been too many excuses made for the team, the players, and individuals. He’s not about that. He understands there’s a lot of work to be done."
However, the lack of progress cannot be solely attributed to the manager’s approach. According to Ferdinand, one of the key issues lies in the amount of time Amorim has had to work with his squad.
In his six weeks in charge, the manager has only had four full training sessions with the team, a factor that Ferdinand believes has had a significant impact on the team’s performance.
"Any manager will tell you that time on the training pitch is crucial if you want to implement your philosophy, build confidence in the team, and make sure the triggers are hit at the right moments," Ferdinand explained.
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08:01 - 31.12.2024
'Relegation is a possibility' - Amorim admits after Newcastle defeat
The Portuguese manager has suffered five defeats in his first eight league games as United coach.
Another factor contributing to United’s struggles is the mismatch between the club's current squad and Amorim’s tactical philosophy.
The six-time Premier League winner with United pointed out that the profile of the players does not align with what Amorim needs, and the manager is discovering this the hard way.
"Then there’s the profile of the players. They don’t fit what he wants to do, and he’s finding that out the hard way," he said.
The most recent blow to United came in the form of a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, which left the team languishing in 14th place with just 22 points, a staggering 13 points behind the league leaders.
With the pressure mounting, Amorim faces a difficult task in turning the team’s fortunes around and restoring pride to Old Trafford.
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