BREAKING NEWS: “Ruben Amorim is the main reason that Man United is going through this rough patch. The root cause of the problem Man United is facing could have been fixed by him when he freshly joined as the manager but he decided to ignore” – This is according to Jamie Carragher as he points out the single ‘MAJOR error’ Ruben Amorim has committed as Manchester United manager following the derby triumph, which has placed the team in a ‘difficult spot.’

Jamie Carragher has highlighted what he considers Ruben Amorim’s most significant misstep since becoming Manchester United’s manager.

Amorim, once regarded as one of Europe’s brightest managerial prospects due to his success with Sporting Lisbon, was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s successor in November. The 39-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for a further year, tasked with reviving United after a dismal start to the Premier League season, where they managed just three wins in nine games, leading to Ten Hag’s dismissal.

A Mixed Start for Amorim

Amorim’s early tenure delivered a blend of highs and lows. He secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester City, thanks to late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo, but also suffered disappointing results, including losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. His progress was abruptly halted after a critical decision in the EFL Cup quarter-final against Tottenham.

Carragher’s Criticism

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher identified Amorim’s heavy rotation in the match against Spurs as a major error. He argued that the decision disrupted the momentum United had gained from their derby victory over City.

“The one big mistake he made was the team he picked at Tottenham,” Carragher said. “Not because it was a cup game, but because of the momentum they had after beating Manchester City. You had to keep that going.”

Amorim made five changes to the team that had triumphed over City, but the gamble failed. United were eliminated in a chaotic 4-3 defeat, despite mounting a spirited comeback from 3-0 down. Individual defensive errors proved costly, and the loss deflated the team’s morale.

Consequences of Rotation

Carragher emphasized that the momentum from the City win could have been a turning point for United. Instead, the Spurs defeat set the stage for further struggles, with United losing three consecutive league games afterward, dropping to 14th in the table.

“The buzz from the City win was massive—beating Pep Guardiola and their biggest rivals,” Carragher added. “To go to Tottenham and make those changes wasn’t necessary. Now, they’ve lost three league games in a row, and they’re in a really poor position.”

Amorim’s Challenges

Carragher’s critique underscores the challenges Amorim faces:

1.Maintaining Momentum: The decision to rotate heavily disrupted the team’s rhythm, derailing their progress.

2.Defensive Issues: Individual errors and a lack of stability at the back continue to hurt the team.

3.Balancing Rotation and Stability: Amorim must find a way to keep his squad fresh without sacrificing consistency.

Looking Ahead

As United prepare to face Newcastle, Amorim must work to rebuild confidence within the squad, address defensive vulnerabilities, and balance rotation with stability. His ability to navigate these challenges will determine whether he can steer United back on course and meet the high expectations at Old Trafford.