Mansion Sports – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has come under heavy scrutiny following his team’s 3-1 loss to Brentford in last weekend’s Premier League fixture. 

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards delivered sharp criticism on Match of the Day, arguing that Amorim’s tactical decisions left his players confused rather than inspired.

Confusing Substitutions Under Fire

Richards highlighted that all five substitutions made by Amorim resulted in positional reshuffles, even though the team remained in a 3-4-2-1 formation. 

This constant tinkering forced several players to adapt to new roles within minutes, leading to difficulties in carrying out the manager’s instructions.

One of the most notable examples was Bryan Mbeumo, who was deployed as an emergency wing-back from the 81st minute. 

The decision backfired, as Brentford exploited weaknesses on that flank to score their third goal in stoppage time. 

Richards insisted that the fault lay not with Mbeumo, but with Amorim, who forced a tactical scheme without considering his players’ natural characteristics.

Amorim’s Inflexibility with Formation

According to Richards, the defeat underscored Amorim’s stubbornness in persisting with the 3-4-2-1 system throughout the match. 

He argued that the Portuguese coach should have been more flexible, perhaps switching to a 4-3-3 setup to give players greater clarity and balance.

“As players, we are expected to be adaptable. But how can we truly adjust if the system never changes, yet roles are constantly shuffled?” Richards remarked.

Poor Record with Manchester United

The result extends Manchester United’s poor run under Amorim, who has yet to secure back-to-back victories in the Premier League. 

Across 33 league games, the club has collected only 34 points—a tally that raises serious questions about his tenure.

Reports suggest that the club has already drawn up a shortlist of three potential replacements, with Gareth Southgate being touted as the ideal candidate.

Last week’s victory over Chelsea was seen as a possible turning point, but with both goals coming after their opponents were reduced to 10 men, United’s fragility was once again exposed. 

The defeat against Brentford—a side sitting 17th before the match—reinforced the notion that United continue to struggle against determined opponents.

Mounting Pressure on Amorim

Amorim appeared dejected on the touchline as the final whistle blew, covering his face with his hands as though processing yet another setback.

As long as he insists on deploying players in unnatural roles and demanding they fulfill unfamiliar tasks, critics from both fans and pundits are likely to persist.

The manager has previously defended himself by insisting that his preferred system is not the issue, even joking that the coach would be replaced before the formation ever changed. Yet if this negative trend continues, that remark may prove more prophetic than playful.