Man Utd’s owners will have ‘very strong word’ with Ruben Amorim over ‘bizarre and ridiculous’ claim, says Carragher
JAMIE CARRAGHER has called on Manchester United’s owners to have a “very strong word” with manager Ruben Amorim.
Amorim has been blasted after claiming that his Man Utd side are “the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United” following their 3-1 home defeat to Brighton.
Amorim didn’t pull any punches in his assessment of his side who currently sit 13th in the Premier League table having won just seven of their 22 games this season.
Whether the United boss is trying to light a fire under his players or spark a different kind of reaction is yet to be seen, but Jamie Carragher reckons that he should be expecting a talking to from the chiefs at United either way.
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, Carragher said: “I don’t feel for the players and their confidence. I mean, half of them are a joke anyway.
“But what I would say is I’d be very surprised if the powers at be above him aren’t having a very strong word with him.
“And saying: ‘You don’t speak like that as a Manchester United manager and engulf the situation we’re in. We’re in a poor situation. You don’t pour petrol on the flames'”.
Carragher also slammed Amorim’s comments as “bizarre and ridiculous”.
He added: “I don’t know Man Utd’s history as well as Gary Neville but I must say it was one of the most bizarre and ridiculous things I’ve ever heard a manager say.
“Why you would make a comment like that… that’s the type of comment a pundit would make, someone in my position, and you’d have to defend that.
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“I don’t know what he gains from that, what the benefit is.
“We all know it’s a poor Man Utd team. They’d lost another game at home to Brighton, they’d done that in the last couple of years anyway.
“We know it’s a tough season, we know it’s a poor team. He has just loosened it up. That will be a quote that follows him for the rest of the season.”
United host Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday as they look to bounce back from their defeat to the Seagulls at the weekend.
Amorim’s side have won just one of their last six games Premier League games as their woes continue on the pitch.
The Red Devils have been linked with new additions in the transfer window this month as they try and solve their problems, but Carragher reckons that there’s no point splashing the cash in January.
The Liverpool legend claimed that Amorim will be unlikely to get the right players through the door this month.
He said: “I don’t think he’s going to get the players he wants in January.
“We know it’s a tough market to sell players or bring players in. It’s doubly difficult this season because the European competitions have gone into January.
“If I’m Man Utd, I’d be keeping my powder dry for the summer, there’s going to be a lot more movement there where you can get players in and get players out as well.
“What you don’t want to do is end up spending money and then get to the summer and think these players aren’t good enough to improve this team or the system.”
Man Utd have been linked with 20-year-old left wing-back Patrick Dorgu this week.
Lecce star Dorgu is among the names discussed for an incoming deal.
Nothing has been agreed with the Serie A club over the Dane with United yet to make an official bid, but talks are progressing.
While rumours continue to swirl about potential exits from Old Trafford with both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho linked with moves away.
Man Utd squad transfer verdict
SunSport gives its verdict on what Man Utd stars should stay or go in the first phase of Ruben Amorim's squad rebuild:
Andre Onana – Stay
Despite being guilty of some erratic performances, Andre Onana remains a world-class goalkeeper and United would struggle to find better in the market.
The defence has begun to look more solid in recent weeks now Amorim has had time to coach the structure into the team, and hopefully, that will be converted into clean sheets going forward.
Noussair Mazraoui – Stay
The best signing from the summer window so far, Noussair Mazraoui has proven to be everything Man Utd needed and more.
Versatile, reliable and passionate no matter whether he plays at wing-back or centre-back, it is a no-brainer to keep the Moroccan.
Leny Yoro – Stay
After a pre-season injury, Leny Yoro has taken some time to bed in but he has shown some superb moments in a Man Utd shirt already like his lung-busting run to block a Liverpool shot in the 2-2 draw at Anfield earlier this month.
At the age of 19 he will only get better and while too much expectation should not be thrust on him just yet, the early signs suggest he could be a mainstay in defence for years to come.
Harry Maguire – Go
The last time we did this list Harry Maguire was one of our main defensive options to be sold, but since Amorim has come with the back three the England international has barely put a foot wrong.
The issue with Maguire is that while he is perfectly suited to a back three, he will be 32 in the summer and has just one year left on his contract, so if a serious offer comes in he should regrettably be sold.
Matthijs de Ligt – Stay
Matthijs de Ligt has been very hit or miss since arriving in the summer. Capable of heroic last-ditch tackles like he did at Arsenal and also capable of some very silly passages of play like his handball against Liverpool.
In many ways, the Dutchman seems like a younger version of Maguire and given some more time to bed in he should improve even more.
Lisandro Martinez – Stay
Has really started to grow into the Amorim system in recent games after a very sticky patch of form.
He is one of the team’s best progressive passers in the build-up phase and has the dogged mentality this team will need to improve and claw its way up the table.
Luke Shaw – Go
It’s been said that one of the best abilities is availability, and that rings incredibly true for Luke Shaw.
World class on his day and is clearly still capable of finding those levels, as seen at less than full fitness with England at the Euros. But he is simply not available often enough to warrant keeping.
Tyrell Malacia – Go
Tyrell Malacia is still recovering his match sharpness from his two-year injury layoff, so it is a bit harsh to make a verdict on him so soon.
The current concern is that United will need to aggressively recruit specialist left wing-backs in the summer, and Malacia so far has not looked totally comfortable playing there.
Manuel Ugarte – Stay
Question marks were being raised about him after his first few games. But under Amorim, Manuel Ugarte has once again become the lynchpin of his midfield.
He knows the system inside out and is one of the Premier League’s most proficient ball winners. It would be madness to consider his sale next summer.
Kobbie Mainoo – Stay
Despite reports that Chelsea and Bayern Munich want to sign the 19-year-old, Kobbie Mainoo should be one of the few genuinely untouchable stars at the club and his contract situation needs sorting ASAP.
He has quality and aspects to his game not possessed by many other midfielders, and with improvements to the stars around him, he and Ugarte should be able to form an effective partnership for many years to come.
Casemiro – Go
Casemiro unfortunately seemed to lose his legs going into his second season at Man Utd. And with the 3-4-3 system demanding even more running from him, it is clear he simply does not fit the bill for what the club need going forward.
It would also help the club’s financial goals to see him sold due to his massive £375,000-a-week wages being taken off the books.
Bruno Fernandes – Stay
The club captain, Bruno Fernandes has faced a lot of criticism since taking the armband for his erratic decisions and losing his temper.
Yet he remains the best player in the squad by some distance and shows the mentality the squad needs to improve. Besides it’s not like United’s most famous captain of the Premier League era, Roy Keane, was exactly cool-headed.
Antony – Go
There’s a definite case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history, with games too often passing him by and lacking quality when he is involved.
That being said, he has improved in a number of brief cameos when featuring as a wing-back under Amorim. But unless there is a plan for him to learn the position and become a specialist he should be moved on.
Marcus Rashford – Go
It was not supposed to end like this. Once the darling of Old Trafford and Carrington, Marcus Rashford’s comments admitting he wanted a new challenge were probably the final nail in the coffin for his Man Utd future.
There is a classy player in there if he can find the motivation to love his football again. A sale to a rival should be ruled out for fear of exactly that, while a sale overseas should be targeted and pushed by the club.
Amad Diallo – Stay
Has taken a real liking to his role as either the right No.10 in the 3-4-3 or as the right wing-back.
Amad Diallo has been one of the team’s best players this season and was rewarded with a new deal as a result.
Alejandro Garnacho – Go
Arguably the trickiest star on the list, Alejandro Garnacho has bags of raw talent to elevate him to being world-class. But recent off-field issues and poor form have doubt cast on his future.
If, as reports suggest, a major bid of £60m from the likes of Napoli comes in there will be a tough decision to make. Though it may be the financial situation of the club which ultimately tips the scale.
Joshua Zirkzee – Go
Joshua Zirkzee has certainly been hit-and-miss at United so far. He has had some games and moments where he has looked very impressive, and others where he is simply not good enough.
He has a very unique profile which makes him top drawer in the right system, it is just United will probably never play the right way for him to truly excel.