Owen Hargreaves names two Man Utd stars who ‘won’t be playing in three weeks’ after feeling Ruben Amorim’s wrath
OWEN HARGREAVES believes that several Manchester United stars will find themselves dropped in the coming weeks.
The Red Devils have endured an awful start to the season and sit 12th in the Premier League table.
Man Utd‘s poor form ultimately cost former boss Erik ten Hag his job, with new manager Ruben Amorim taking charge for the first time in yesterday’s clash with Ipswich.
Following the 1-1 draw, ex-United midfielder Hargreaves, 43, gave a frank assessment of his former side.
The ex-England ace picked out Diogo Dalot and substitute Joshua Zirkzee for criticism.
Hargreaves said of Amorim: “He was in front of me, and he was really frustrated, I’m not going to lie.
“He wasn’t happy with Dalot’s positioning in the first half. Zirkzee’s positioning in the second half made him a bit frustrated as well.”
“Many of these players won’t be playing in three, four, or five weeks time.”
Dalot, 25, was asked about how things have changed under his Portuguese compatriot.
The full-back said: “He has impacted straight away. The way he transmits ideas is really clear. We just need to put it into practice now.
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“We just need to be ready. For the standard of this club we have to get information really quick.
“We have only been together with the international players for two or three days, so you have to give credit to everyone.”
After the game, Amorim took a swipe at Zirkzee’s movement.
The Dutchman, 23, replaced Christian Eriksen in the 68th minute and played off fellow substitute Rasmus Hojlund.
Amorim said: “I think that [decision-making] is a concern, you don’t need to coach them at this level.
“You have to keep the ball and know the momentum to put the ball in front. Sometimes you feel that you can’t keep the ball and you [have to] put the ball in front.
“Then you have like we are in the end of the game, we were around the box with two strikers. Josh has to understand that he has to go to the box to have the crosses.
“So we are doing some things that were not at the right moment, so that is something we have to address.
“Sometimes people talk about the 3-4-3, that is not the concern, the system is the system but the understanding of the game is what we have to improve a lot in this area.”
Amorim will take charge of his first game at Old Trafford on Thursday as United host Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Onana saves Amorim from embarrassment in first game as boss
MANCHESTER UNITED began the Ruben Amorim era with a 1-1 draw away at Ipswich.
Marcus Rashford needed just 81 seconds to put the Red Devils in front at Portman Road, tapping home an Amad Diallo cross.
But Ipswich hit back when Omari Hutchinson’s strike flew in via a deflection off Noussair Mazraoui.
And it was the newly-promoted side who looked likelier to get a winner in the second half.
Here is how SunSport’s Charlie Wyett saw the performances of the Man Utd players…
ANDRE ONANA – 7/10
United’s best player. Two key stops to deny Liam Delap but no chance for the deflected Omari Hutchinson goal.
Then delivered an 87th minute save to keep out an effort from Conor Chaplin.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 5
Slotted in on the right of the three-man defence but unfortunate with the deflection for the goal.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 5
Has been suspect this season and will probably be better suited to a back three although still given a tough time by Delap.
JONNY EVANS – 5
The 36-year-old was targeted by Ipswich for his lack of pace and no surprise he was replaced.
AMAD DIALLO – 6
Did incredibly well to bomb past Jens Cajuste and deliver the cross for Rashford’s early goal but offered little else.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 5
Some nice touches going forward but too lightweight in this position in front of the back three.
CASEMIRO – 4
Lucky to start ahead of Manuel Ugarte and was really poor.
Struggled throughout before being subbed and could maybe have got a block to the Hutchinson shot.
DIOGO DALOT – 5
Not suited to left wing-back although stayed there when Luke Shaw arrived because the English international replaced Evans in the back three.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 5
Some of his link-up play was fine but United need a captain who can inspire this team and Fernandes is not the man.
Sent a free-kick flashing past the post with 12 minutes left.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 5
Twice called over by Ruben Amorim in the first half for instructions.
Denied by a decent save from Aro Muric 50 seconds into the second half.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Criticised for his basketball trip to New York so to score after 80 seconds was two fingers up at his critics – but did not offer much after that.
Subs
Ugarte (for Casemiro 56 mins) – 6
Shaw (for Evans 56 mins) – 6
Hojlund (for Rashford 67 mins) – 5
Zirkzee ( for Eriksen 67 mins) – 5
Mount (for Garnacho 87 mins) – 5