Ruben Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United’s head coach has been anything but smooth sailing since his arrival three months ago. The Portuguese tactician has faced a myriad of challenges both on and off the pitch, struggling to implement his methods and losing key players along the way.
In a bold move to reset the club’s culture, Amorim has shown he’s not afraid to make tough decisions, even if it means parting ways with high-profile players. Marcus Rashford and Antony, two of United’s star forwards, have been moved out of the club for the remainder of the campaign, at the very least.
While these decisions have drawn criticism from some quarters, former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has come out in support of Amorim’s approach. Speaking on his Fozcast podcast, Foster praised the manager’s ability to assess player character:
“I like the fact that he seems to be a very good judge of character. I think he’s a very good judge of the players that like to do it properly, work hard and put a proper shift in. He’s pretty good at that with the way he’s dealt with a lot of players already.”
Foster believes that Amorim’s no-nonsense style is exactly what Manchester United needs to address long-standing issues within the squad:
“But what it takes is somebody like Amorim to be able to get rid of all of the bad eggs and the dead wood, to get as many of the players on long contracts out as you possibly can and then start a rebuild.”
The former United shot-stopper didn’t mince words when discussing the attitude of some modern footballers, stating:
“A symptom of modern footballers is that they’re so happy to look for an excuse. As soon as there’s something wrong with the manager or the way the club is run, if they’re not performing well, it’s easy for them to go, ‘no, it’s not me, it’s that.'”
Foster went on to describe players who are “quick to down tools” as “embarrassing”, highlighting the need for a strong-willed manager like Amorim to address such issues.
Despite his support for Ruben Amorim‘s man-management style, Foster did express concerns about the manager’s tactical approach:
“He’s being very naive tactically and should think about changing his system that clearly isn’t suiting his current crop of players.”
However, Amorim has remained steadfast in his commitment to his preferred formation. The Portuguese coach seems determined to see out the season with his current tactical setup, using this period to evaluate which players are capable of adapting to his style of play.
As the season progresses, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Manchester United are headed for a significant overhaul in the summer transfer window. With Amorim at the helm, the majority of the first-team squad find themselves fighting for their futures at Old Trafford.
The coming months will be crucial for both Amorim and the players. The manager will be looking to see which members of his squad can rise to the challenge and adapt to his demanding style, while the players will need to prove their worth to avoid being part of the expected clear-out.
Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has been marked by bold decisions and a clear vision for the club’s future. While his tactical approach may be under scrutiny, his no-nonsense attitude towards player management has garnered support from former players like Ben Foster.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Old Trafford to see how Amorim’s revolution unfolds. Will his tough love approach pay dividends, or will the tactical concerns overshadow his man-management skills? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: change is coming to Manchester United, and it’s coming fast.
