BREAKING NEWS: “Ruben Amorim is the primary reason Manchester United is enduring this challenging period. The underlying issue causing United’s struggles could have been addressed when he first took over as manager, but he chose to overlook it,” stated Jamie Carragher. He highlighted the one ‘MAJOR error’ Amorim made following the derby victory, which has left the team in a ‘tough position.’ Amorim’s decision was a significant misstep 😳💔 Let’s hope the situation can be resolved soon 😳💔

Jamie Carragher has pointed out what he believes to be Ruben Amorim’s most significant error since taking charge of Manchester United. Amorim, previously celebrated as one of Europe’s most promising managers following his success at Sporting Lisbon, succeeded Erik ten Hag in November. He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with an optional extension, tasked with reviving a struggling United side that had managed only three wins in nine Premier League games, leading to Ten Hag’s dismissal.

Amorim’s early weeks at United have been a mix of ups and downs. He orchestrated an exhilarating 2-1 comeback victory over Manchester City with late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo. However, he also endured setbacks, including defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. The turning point came during the EFL Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, where a pivotal decision backfired.

Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, criticized Amorim’s strategy in the Spurs match, specifically his decision to rotate heavily. According to Carragher, this disrupted the positive momentum United had gained from their victory over City. “The one big mistake he made was the team he picked at Tottenham,” Carragher stated, adding that the momentum from beating Manchester City should have been preserved.

In the match against Tottenham, Amorim made five changes to the team that had defeated City. This gamble did not pay off, as United were knocked out in a chaotic 4-3 defeat despite a spirited comeback from 3-0 down. Defensive lapses proved costly, and the loss took a toll on the team’s morale, undermining the progress they had made.

Carragher argued that the victory over City had the potential to be a turning point for United. However, the defeat to Spurs triggered a downward spiral, with United subsequently losing three consecutive league games and sliding to 14th in the Premier League standings. “The buzz from the City win was massive,” Carragher explained. “To go to Tottenham and make those changes wasn’t necessary. Now, they’re in a really poor position.”

This critique highlights the challenges Amorim faces at United. Key among them are maintaining momentum after significant victories, addressing persistent defensive issues, and finding the right balance between squad rotation and stability. These are hurdles he must overcome to lift United out of their slump.

Looking ahead, Amorim must rebuild his squad’s confidence, resolve their defensive vulnerabilities, and develop a rotation strategy that doesn’t compromise consistency. As United prepare to face Newcastle, his ability to navigate these challenges will be critical in determining whether he can steer the team back on track and meet the lofty expectations at Old Trafford.