Six Manchester United players have been identified as 'fitting' what Ruben Amorim aims to achieve, yet 'for some reason, vital players are opting not to' pay attention.
Issue resolved
No need to fret, United supporters; your hero has at last recognized the main issue at the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire possessing more wealth than you or your forebears will ever accumulate or be valued at, the wise figure we anticipated he would become.
Certain Man Utd players are not skilled enough and earn excessive salaries.
So knowledgeable. He genuinely recognized the real problem that everyone else missed.
I take it he isn’t blaming any players acquired while he was there; billionaires typically don’t make errors, after all.
Will
Little strides
Is anyone else feeling George Graham nostalgia from the joy at the “1-0 to the Ar-sen-al” type of play exhibited by their supporters? Highly nostalgic. Hopefully, United will summon some nostalgic offense before the season concludes.
Therefore, let's move on to that. An intriguing email discussed how Amorim should remain steadfast, and I somewhat concur; since we’re already invested, we might as well go all in.
The point is, the claim that the players don't fit the style isn't entirely accurate. Dalot *is able* to dribble, deliver crosses, and pass very effectively. Garnacho can also do that, for that matter. Mazra definitely can, and he is familiar with Højlund's appearance since he assisted him earlier this season (it was indeed this season, correct? It seems like it was a year back). Ugarte fits it perfectly. What Mainoo and Amad will do when they return.
The problem is that, for some unknown reason, essential players are opting not to. Or at least, so far.
The previous match indicated possible hints that Amorim's coaching may have transitioned to the crossing phase. A pass was made to Højlund, but it was quickly intercepted by a team recognized for their strong defense. However, the mere occurrence of it may be a sign of the beginning of hope.
Bruno scored so effortlessly it hides other problems in the match, yet there was a point when he had the ball and would typically lose it with a desperate pass, but he actually held onto it. That’s a good thing as well! Impressive!
Now they simply need to carry it out – and importantly recall they have a forward whose role is to create opportunities – against every other side except Arsenal, Liverpool, and City.
Let’s conclude with a forecast. 4-0 versus Sociedad, Højlund with a hat trick, and Garnacho to net one with his backside. You first heard it here.
Wolves of Darkness
Misunderstood in translation
Individuals are becoming quite confused regarding the Amorim discussion at United. It's not only fans; commentators and so-called specialists are also overlooking the main idea. Where they’re becoming confused is the distinction between formation, system, and style.
In the Premier League, we observe four formations that are frequently utilized. 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, and 3-4-3. This is essentially the fundamental framework, and most players can perform in any of these. Indeed, in numerous cases, all four can appear quite alike when a team is on the offensive or defensive.
The system is considerably more complex. This is the way the players navigate within this formation. How they guard, strike, and shift between the two. It is the strategic approach, observed in patterns of offensive play or how opposing attacks are dismantled.
Style represents the complete philosophy. Whether it's possession-oriented or counterattacking, deliberate and measured low-intensity play or fast-paced 'heavy metal' football.
I clarify this to highlight that the problem at United is not the formation or system, and never has been. Altering the formation would likely have minimal to no effect on outcomes. Regarding the system, over time the players are capable of learning. The problems occur because the mismatched team is not appropriate for any specific style.
All senior managers/head coaches have the ability to teach their preferred formation and, to some degree, their system to any player. It’s what took them to the peak. What no manager is able to do is train players to adapt to every style. An adult player who doesn't possess the necessary stamina and speed to press intensely cannot be coached by anyone, for instance. You either possess these qualities or you do not.
This is where a proper DoF is necessary. They select the playing style they prefer, then they ought to employ a manager who aligns with that philosophy and acquire players that fit that style and the manager's system. In this manner, if the manager doesn't succeed, you can simply hire a different manager who aligns with the style. Adjustments might be required to align the team with this new manager's formation or system, but they should only be minor adjustments. However, this necessitates a strategy established by the owners and CEO. This is where the Glazers have truly messed things up. There was never a scheme.
In the past 12 years, United has experienced numerous managers with varying styles, resulting in a squad that, collectively, cannot execute any contemporary style of football. Within the squad, there are players like Maguire and Casemiro who fit a low block defensive style, but others in midfield and attack, such as Erikson and Zirkzee, aren't well-matched for the fast transitions this tactic entails. They are better adapted to a slower possession-oriented style, yet this necessitates a higher defensive line, subsequently demanding a more vigorous press, which only a few defenders can manage.
In the end, regardless of the style United employs, it will not be effective since half the team will always have difficulty adjusting to it. The sole solution to this issue is to provide a manager with sufficient time for him and a DoF to create a team that can perform a specific style, irrespective of the formation or system. I continue to believe this might have been EtH, but it certainly ought to be Amorim.
Amorim definitely should not alter his formation, as it will not enhance outcomes. After observing all of Amorim's matches, I notice slight adjustments to the system being applied from one game to another, influenced by the opponents or the available players, much like all elite managers do. However, the main concern is style, which, as I mentioned, we lack the squad to effectively execute his or any other style. What he ought to be doing and is indeed doing is examining all the players available to determine which ones are capable of it. As some must handle it for the next 3-5 years during the team's reconstruction. After all, a 25-man squad cannot be assembled in just one summer.
What must not continue is the repetitive cycle we've experienced for more than ten years, where the hierarchy submits to pressure and dismisses a manager before the team can effectively execute their style. We can't claim it will take 5 years to resolve and then grumble when it remains unresolved after 18 months, only to dismiss the manager within 30 months. All individuals connected to the club, ranging from the owners to the supporters, must understand this and possess the courage to see it to the end. At least in that case, we will gain some stability, and success should come next.
Richard, Manchester
The operation must be completed.
I believe that nearly all rational United supporters concurred with Rangnick that the team urgently required significant changes. And as Noj rightly highlights, a large number of players have departed from United.
The key to the operation is that it needs to be completed. I believe that instead of open heart surgery, Rangnick was referring to a transplant. Thus far, the INEOS doctors have effectively removed the problematic heart (mostly) but haven’t inserted much back in yet.
I’ve received a few emails (thanks!) published during ETH’s tenure indicating that fans were overlooking the problem with United’s expenditures: even after wasting half a billion, they acquired only a handful of players. When that limited group consists of Antony, Mount, Eriksen, and Casemiro – all essentially sidelined at this moment – you recognize the issue.
INEOS have expressed the right intentions: recruit additional, younger talent and if they fail to meet expectations in 2 years, let them go. Let’s observe what unfolds with Yoro/Dorgu/Heaven/Obi and so on.
Ryan, Bermuda (Seriously, where has Mason Mount gone? Slight injury in December?
Inzaghi leads the way
Much discussion exists about Amorim and his system, debating whether he should adapt it for the players or adhere to it strictly. I believe a significant part of this is due to his use of a back 3, which is not in fashion at the top levels of the Premier League right now. Nonetheless, there is a highly successful coach from the past decade or so who has been performing a quite similar role… Simone Inzaghi.
Inzaghi, similar to Amorim, utilizes a back 3. The concept of the system is that the wingbacks serve multiple purposes. They can serve as wingers effectively when aiming to attack, or can fall back into a full-back role in a back 5 if you prefer to adopt a low block (which United has managed quite well). The wingbacks play a crucial role in the system and need to excel in both areas, as Dumfries and Di Marco do.
With that defensive setup established, the remaining five positions change their functions based on the opponent, the situation of the game, and so on. This is evident at United, where Bruno occasionally plays as a 10 or sometimes drops deeper to utilize his passing abilities. Occasionally, Hojlund partners with Zirkzee, who functions more as a second striker than as a number 10. The manager extensively employs rotation and substitutions to enable the team to exert themselves and change the game during the match. Inzaghi is well-known for this in Italy, and one notable aspect of Amorim has been his readiness to make adjustments, for the better, during the game (let's temporarily put aside the fact that we've generally been poor from the start).
For his aims, I'm not convinced you could find a group of players less appropriate for achieving it than the one he has taken over at United. Nonetheless, his system is rigid only regarding the back three, while the rest is more dynamic than many might suggest. It is also a system utilized at an elite level (Italy remains superior to Portugal in terms of league quality, and Inter is the top team there) indicating he isn't a crazy individual acting alone on this concept.
Will it be effective in the long run? Unsure. It's preferable to formulate a plan and attempt to implement it rather than to lack any plan entirely, as has been the case for much of the past 20 years. Therefore, I stay cautiously hopeful.
Lewis, Busby Avenue
Is it merely a justification?
The near daily takeover of the mailbox because of the chaos that is Man U has now been swapped for a daily conversation about Arsenal. I understand that statistics don’t always reveal the complete picture and can frequently be distorted to support a specific agenda, yet something has left me slightly confused, and perhaps the Arsenal fanbase can assist me.
Bukayo Saka (an exceptionally talented player) is noted to have played 16 times in the Premier League this season; if I take this to mean the initial 16, then the subsequent seems to be accurate. During those 16 matches. Arsenal did not secure victory in 8 of those matches, resulting in 6 draws and 2 losses, which accounts for 50%. Over the next 12 games, they recorded 4 draws and 1 loss, totaling 41%. They achieved an average of 1.81 goals per match with him, whereas they averaged 1.91 without him. They allowed .93 goals per match with and merely .66 without.
Statistically, Arsenal has fared better in his absence. I understand that the "quality" of the opponents may have impacted the situation, but it genuinely seems that the injuries have covered up the actual issues and are being used as an excuse for Arsenal's continued inability to gather enough points to secure a title.
Howard (they were never achieving 90+) Jones
Underperforming Pep
Ian Hewison is completely correct when he states, “people rarely discuss how much Guardiola has underperformed considering the resources available to him.”
Where was the criticism when he could only secure a meager FOUR PL Titles (and a Treble) in the five seasons from 2019/20 to 2023/24, a stretch in which City, with their UNLIMITED FUNDS, had the 10th highest Net Spend Premier League?
And as if that weren't enough, this season marks the second occasion in eight years where the Bald Fraud has failed to secure the Premier League title.
I’m so upset that I’m really thinking about buying a big felt tip pen and scribbling ‘PEP OUT!’ on a restroom wall.
Michael The Bert
Snowflake 11
Since Football365 has embraced a woke agenda, I decided to create a ‘Football365 Has Embraced a Woke Agenda XI’.
And here it is.
GK: Petr Čech
DF: Pascal Chimbonda
DF: Pascal Cygan
DF: Philippe Cristanval
MF: Paul Cannell
MF: Paul Cook
MF: Philippe Coutinho
FW: Pierluigi Casiraghi
FW: Peter Crouch
FW: Papiss Cissé
FW: Efan Ekwokeu
MAN : Philippe Clement.
Clearly, I initially thought of Efan Ekwokeu and aimed to create a group of players with puns on ‘woke’, but I couldn't come up with additional ideas. You receive what you spend on.
Alex Stokoe, Newcastle upon Tyne
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