Mick Brown declares Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United is over
Manchester United’s struggles show no signs of easing. The voices questioning Ruben Amorim’s future grow louder with each defeat. We reported earlier that Nottingham Forest are not keen to sell Manchester United target Elliot Anderson, but even potential transfers cannot distract from the storm currently engulfing Old Trafford. The club that once dominated English football has slipped into poor results and missed opportunities. Amorim now stands at the centre of the crisis.
Former chief scout Mick Brown, who worked for decades under Sir Alex Ferguson, delivered perhaps the strongest verdict yet in an interview with Football Insider. Brown said there is “no way back” for Amorim, claiming that the dressing room and staff have lost faith in Amorim. According to Brown, even after winning, the manager looks as frustrated and miserable as after defeats, draining belief instead of building it.
He said the Portuguese manager repeats the same mistakes on the pitch and refuses to change a system that has failed in England. Brown added that Amorim cannot hide behind excuses, since the club gave him money to sign the players he wanted. In his view, delaying change only postpones the inevitable. Results and performances keep disappointing fans who see little hope under the current regime.
“A lot of people have already given up on Amorim.
“That’s the case amongst the fans, amongst neutrals, and I don’t doubt it’s the case with some of the staff as well, because he isn’t showing anything to prove them wrong. Even his press conferences don’t inspire any belief or hope; he’s as miserable after a win as he is after a defeat, and there always seems to be an issue.
“On the pitch, he makes the same mistakes time after time, but insists on sticking to this style of play when it’s been proven it doesn’t work.
“You can blame the players, of course, but he was backed in the transfer market with plenty of money to sign players he wanted and there’s still been no improvement.
“There’s no way back for him at this stage, even if the board have decided to back him, because it’s become clear things aren’t going to change.
“Delaying any decision for now only means they’ll have to do it at some point in the future, because realistically he’s finished there, he can’t turn it around.
“You’d say the only way to really win back favour is to start winning games, but there’s been no evidence on the pitch that they’re going to make that happen.”
Why Amorim’s Approach Is Failing at Old Trafford
Mick Brown’s blunt assessment reflects the issues that have plagued Amorim since he arrived from Sporting CP. Much of it comes down to his refusal to adapt. At Sporting, the 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 system delivered trophies, but in the Premier League, it has exposed United’s weaknesses. Relying on wing-backs for width and balance stretches an already fragile defence. At the same time, attackers fall into predictable patterns that opponents easily counter. Amorim’s refusal to change his preferred shape has created a rigid team instead of one that plays to its strengths.
His player selection has made matters worse. The 40-year-old keeps using Casemiro in deep roles despite his lack of mobility. He also expects Diogo Dalot to thrive as a wing-back, which highlights flaws instead of covering them. Meanwhile, young prospects like Kobbie Mainoo sit on the sidelines while the team struggles for control in midfield.
We reported earlier that Manchester United are facing a serious obstacle in their pursuit of Carlos Baleba, yet even with potential reinforcements, Amorim must adjust his thinking. While strong philosophies are admirable, his refusal to adapt has widened the gap between his vision and the squad’s reality. In the end, Amorim’s failure to adjust his system to English football has defined his time at Old Trafford. Fans now feel change is not a question of if, but when.