What now for Manchester United after heavy loss in derby
As far as Amorim’s system goes, repeatedly, United’s midfield gets exposed due to a lack of numbers, or at least a lack of bodies close enough to each other. That was evident in the failure to prevent the opening goal – created when Jeremy Doku left Bruno Fernandes and then weaved his way through a largely static rearguard before setting up an unlikely headed finish from Phil Foden.
Many concerned supporters think the time for change has arrived.
With the current squad, they feel there is enough talent available to pick four defenders, three midfielders – including Bruno Fernandes – with Bryan Mbeumo and, when fit, Matheus Cunha, supporting Sesko. That, they argue is more solid and would make United less prone to conceding easy goals.
“Against Arsenal were we the better team,” is Amorim’s counter to the argument.
“(Martin) Odegaard, (Declan) Rice and (Martin) Zubimendi are three top midfielders. We played with two.
“The fans don’t want to hear these things but I am trying to be rationale.”
It can be argued assessment from the sidelines with no responsibility or consequence is easy.
Yet many of those who get paid to do it have vast experience behind them and understand the dynamics of the game.
“My problem with this system is you’re asking players to play in positions they’re not used to,” said former England international Theo Walcott.
“And I’d rather have Bruno Fernandes higher up the field. I’d like to have two solid centre-backs and a 4-3-3. That is what I believe but we know he doesn’t do that.”
Once he had completed his media duties, Amorim briefly went back to the dressing room before heading towards the exit, flanked by a member of United’s security staff. There was not even a look upwards in acknowledgement to the media he was walking past.
Like Ratcliffe earlier, he had a lot on his mind. Unlike Keane, Dublin and Walcott, he has to find some answers pretty quickly.
His only kindred spirit in that sense is Robbie Savage, who has taken the manager’s job at Forest Green Rovers, currently second in the National League.
If Amorim wanted sympathy from that direction, he didn’t get it.
“Grimsby beat them,” he said on 606. “I believe right now if Forest Green Rovers got to the third round of the FA Cup, I would want to draw them at home.”