Amorim Defends Tactics Amid Criticism as United Struggles Continue

Manchester United currently sits sixth in the Premier League table, and coach Amorim is facing scrutiny for the team’s disappointing home record, having won only one of their last five matches at Old Trafford. The pressure is mounting as United remains outside the Champions League qualification spots, missing an opportunity to overtake Chelsea in fifth place after a 1-1 draw at home against winless Wolves.

Amorim has drawn criticism for opting to substitute defenders instead of attackers during the last two matches against Newcastle and Wolves, leading to discontent among fans who booed his decisions. United legend Paul Scholes has accused him of neglecting the club’s tradition of attacking football, and fellow pundit Gary Neville has also expressed disapproval of his tactics in recent games.

In defense of his strategy, Amorim highlighted that United ranks third in the league for goals scored, trailing only Manchester City and Arsenal, and leads the league in total shots taken. Additionally, team captain Bruno Fernandes has created the most chances in the league, despite being sidelined with an injury for the last three matches.

“The first thing is that we are creating and scoring more than most teams,” Amorim stated in a press conference. “I understand the team better than anyone. Sometimes supporters question your decisions, but my focus is on protecting the team and winning games. It can be difficult for fans to understand, but I strive to make the best choices. While sometimes substitutions work, other times they do not. We are creating more than we did last year, but we still need to improve defensively.”

Amorim was hesitant to attribute the lackluster performance against Wolves solely to missing players, though he acknowledged the unfortunate timing of Bruno Fernandes’ longest injury spell coinciding with Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. He remarked, “I don’t like to talk about injuries as excuses. Losing Amad, Bryan, and especially Bruno all at once has impacted our ability to create opportunities. If any team loses three key players simultaneously, struggles are inevitable.”

He emphasized that the absence of these players negatively affects set-piece execution, as they are responsible for taking those crucial opportunities. Amorim is optimistic about the imminent return of the injured trio and stresses the need to understand why the team has struggled in creation and overall quality during recent matches.

While praising the improvement in attacking play, Amorim pointed out that their position in the table is hindered by defensive lapses and momentary lapses in concentration. He attributed these issues to individual errors rather than a lack of investment in defense, noting that the club has spent £208 million ($280 million) on players such as Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko during the summer transfer window.

“We should be performing better defensively and not conceding goals like we did in the final moments of the first half against Wolves, which can shift the game’s dynamic,” he added. “While our attacking style has improved, effective defense requires a team effort and urgency. I believe we can perform better without necessitating further investment in defense.”

United’s next challenge will be a matchup against local rivals Leeds, who are currently unbeaten in their last six Premier League outings.