- Murphy blasts Amorim’s midfield system
- United‘s winless run fuels rising criticism
- Pressure mounts ahead of Burnley clash
Amorim’s reign has yet to provide any hint of stability. His side have taken just one point from their opening two Premier League games this season, and a damning defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup once again showcased United’s struggles to create rhythm or control matches.
The problems are hardly new. After a disastrous 2024/25 campaign that saw the Red Devils slump to 15th in the table and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham, fans had hoped this season would bring fresh life. Instead, it feels like the rot has continued, with Amorim’s men still searching for a first competitive victory this season.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan show, Murphy pulled no punches in highlighting why the system is a disaster: “I think that squad is able to compete. I just think his system is the problem, I’ve said it from day one. I wouldn’t like playing that system as a midfielder, no chance. He’s warm and charismatic – you can’t help but like him.
“From a footballing perspective, that system – it’s not going to work. What midfielder at Manchester United has progressed in that system under him? They’ve all digressed. Every one of them has been hammered – and the reason is because if you play two in the middle of the park in any system, whether it be a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, if you’ve only got two in the middle, you’re going to get overrun and look troubled.”
The former Liverpool man listed the casualties of Amorim’s system: Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes. All of them, Murphy argued, have suffered under the weight of being exposed in central areas.
“Mainoo’s been hammered, Casemiro’s been hammered, [Manuel] Ugarte has been hammered,” Murphy argued. “Bruno’s been hammered playing in that role – Bruno’s [now] more of a four.”
For a club built on attacking dominance and midfield control, Amorim’s approach has left many scratching their heads. The Carabao Cup humiliation at the hands of League Two side Grimsby has only intensified the backlash. Amorim will have little time to breathe as Burnley come to Old Trafford on Saturday. Anything less than a convincing win could see the manager’s position reach a breaking point.
