The new Premier League season is only six games old, although Saturday’s defeat to Brentford felt like a seismic one for Manchester United and for manager Ruben Amorim, with that 3-1 loss the latest indication that the Portuguese is heading for an early exit from Old Trafford.
Let’s face it, we’ve seen this one before, with repeated United managers having all been sent packing before Christmas, be it Erik ten Hag in October 2024 or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021.
There was very much a Ten Hag feel regarding the weekend debacle, with the trip to west London evoking memories of the Dutchman’s final outing in charge, which came away to West Ham United just over a year ago.
That 2-1 defeat was notable for a glaring Diogo Dalot miss, alongside a contentious late penalty for the hosts. This time around, Amorim saw the previously reliable Bruno Fernandes fail to convert his spot-kick attempt, while Nathan Collins controversially escaped a red card for his foul on Bryan Mbeumo. When your luck’s in…
While the word on the street is that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS hierarchy remain behind the ex-Sporting CP boss, a succession plan appears to already be being drawn up…
How United could look with a 4-3-3 after Amorim
When asked about changing his philosophy last month, Amorim responded that the Red Devils will instead have to “change the man” if there is to be a move away from his 3-4-3 system.
Steadfast in his stubborn desire to retain that approach, the 40-year-old is almost forcing Ratcliffe and co into making a decision, rather than attempting to save himself by shaking things up tactically.
Yes, Amorim can’t be solely responsible for the individual failings of the likes of Altay Bayindir, although his specialised system doesn’t appear to be getting the best out of anyone at the club right now.
Should a new appointment be made any time soon, there is a squad – hopefully – who can be revived in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system, with such a tweak likely to enhance the midfield unit once again, in particular.
Indeed, a new coach could deploy Kobbie Mainoo in a deep-lying role, having memorably starred on his Premier League debut in that berth against Everton in November 2023, with the Englishman partnered by Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount in more advanced midfield positions
In attack, the new-look trio of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and the aforementioned Mbeumo would all be comfortable making the change, while Amorim’s potential successor would surely see the wisdom in ousting the hapless Bayindir for new man Senne Lammens – or even the veteran Tom Heaton.
With ample depth at right-back and centre-back, a new manager could finally settle on a first-choice pairing, rather than the constant chaos of Amorim’s selection, while the problems on the left flank could be solved by the returning Lisandro Martinez in a new-look left-back berth.
GK
Senne Lammens
RB
Noussair Mazraoui
CB
Matthijs de Ligt
CB
Leny Yoro
LB
Lisandro Martinez
CDM
Kobbie Mainoo
CM
Bruno Fernandes
CM
Mason Mount
RW
Bryan Mbeumo
LW
Matheus Cunha
ST
Benjamin Sesko
While such a transition might not guarantee an improvement, there is seemingly nothing to lose by moving away from a 3-4-3, be it for Amorim or for his potential replacement.
Man Utd targeting the next Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
The last time a Portuguese manager – Jose Mourinho – was in situ in the Old Trafford dugout, the serial-winning coach was relieved of his duties in December 2018, before being replaced by treble-winning hero, Solskjaer.
The Norwegian marksman departed Molde to join United on an initial interim basis, although after winning 14 of his first 17 games in charge, while reviving the mood in Manchester, the ‘Baby-faced assassin’ was rewarded with a permanent position in March 2019.
While the merits of that decision can be debated, it’s hard to ignore that Solskjaer steered United to notable third and second-place finishes in his two full seasons in charge, having perhaps been closer than any post-Sir Alex Ferguson manager to bring the club ‘back’ to the top table.
According to journalist Samuel Luckhurst, there is believed to be an appetite among Ratcliffe and co to make a similar short-term appointment again, should Amorim be replaced, with fan favourite Michael Carrick believed to be in the running.
While Luckhurst reports that the Premier League trio of Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Fabian Hurzeler are also in the frame, Carrick is among those who could take charge on a caretaker basis, having previously led United for three games following Solskjaer’s exit.
That brief stint saw the Red Devils pick up a point away at Stamford Bridge, either side of wins against Villarreal and Arsenal, with there perhaps a tinge of regret at not handing the Englishman the reins for a longer period, rather than turning to the much-maligned Ralf Rangnick.
In the years since, Carrick – who worked as part of the coaching set-up under both Mourinho and Solskjaer – has enjoyed a promising albeit far from perfect stint at Middlesbrough, overseeing a fourth-place finish in 2022/23, followed by eighth and tenth-place finishes in the subsequent two campaigns.
Dismissed in the summer, the 44-year-old has since had to witness Boro storm to the Championship summit, although his stock doesn’t appear to have taken too great of a hit, having been hailed as an “insanely talented coach” by his former player, Lukas Engel.
Also tipped by Solskjaer in the past to be a future Man United manager, Carrick would certainly be a popular appointment among the Old Trafford faithful, having enjoyed 12 glorious years on the pitch, winning five league titles and making 464 appearances in all competitions.
Like the Norwegian before him, Carrick could be the ideal short-term solution to try and revive United’s fortunes, having experienced a winning team himself during his days under Ferguson.
Some may bristle at a perceived ‘jobs for the boys’ policy, but after trying so many different things on the manager front, why not go back to something that worked – at least initially – with another Solskjaer-style appointment.
