Alan Shearer tears into “arrogant” Amorim as epic win vs. Arsenal sparks fresh criticism

Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has blasted Ruben Amorim, branding him “arrogant” after Manchester United’s thrilling victory over Arsenal.

United shake off Amorim dross

Amorim was sacked earlier this month after 14 months in charge as head coach. He led United to a lowly 15th-place finish last season and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, but was still backed significantly in the summer and afforded more time to turn things around.

While results saw a slight improvement this season, he remained dogmatically committed to his controversial 3-4-2-1 formation. He reverted to a back four on only one occasion, against Newcastle, and United won. Surprisingly, he then retreated to the three-at-the-back system that had put him at loggerheads with the media and supporters.

Skirmishes between Amorim and the football leadership group reached a breaking point after the 1-1 draw with Leeds, leading to Amorim’s dismissal.

Michael Carrick was brought in to replace the Portuguese and so far, the change has worked a treat. Carrick secured a dominant 2-0 win over Manchester City in his first game and followed that up with an incredible 3-2 victory against Arsenal last Sunday.

In both games against the top two teams in the Premier League, United were by far the better side and were deserving winners. The result vs. Arsenal catapulted Carrick and his players to fourth positions and in a strong position to secure Champions League football.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer, Micah Richards, and Gary Lineker credited Carrick for the positive change while simultaneously scrutinising Amorim’s methods.

Stark difference

Lineker began, “It’s funny football, isn’t it? Because suddenly you go back to a system that perhaps suits some of the players. You bring back bit of experience in Harry Maguire, you bring back one of the star players in Kobbie Mainoo, and play him in there.”

“You push Bruno [Fernandes] a little bit further forward where he’s a little bit more comfortable and can bring out his brilliance more. You get Amad playing as a winger and not as a wing back. And all of a sudden, it’s very strange, but things start to happen for you.”

Richards added, “We kept saying it continuously, the players were playing out of position. Two number 10s, [Amad] Diallo in a number 10, [Bryan] Mbeumo in the number 10, why? They do the most damage from wide positions. I know Mbeumo is playing up front now, but he’s got the freedom to go where he wants.”

“If you see the goals of Cunha and Dorgu, they are brave goals there, getting on the ball on the half turn and then driving, trying to make something happen.”

Joining the conversation, Shearer questioned, “What on earth is Ruben Amorim sat doing, thinking, looking at those two performances? I mean honestly, I don’t know what he’ll be thinking.”

Lineker answered, “He’ll be thinking ‘Maybe I’ve got it wrong?'”

Richards chimed in, “You buy into managers, because of what he did at sporting and it worked very well. Subconsciously you’re thinking, ‘Okay, we’ll give him a little bit more time,’ because it’s worked before. He’s come to a different league. He’s got players who can’t play in those positions, and we’re still waiting, giving him the benefit of doubt.”

“But he got a result, playing 4231, and then he changed back to three at the back. It was madness.”

Shearer continued, “Yeah, absolutely crazy. The arrogance to say, ‘No, I’m not doing any other thing. This is my way or the highway.’ I mean, to not even shift or to accept that this is probably not working, ‘Maybe I should try something else.’ He put all his eggs into that basket, and if that didn’t work, he was done. And it didn’t.”

The trio discussed whether Carrick should be under consideration to be handed the job permanently.

Lineker joked that United should immediately offer their former midfielder a contract. Shearer insisted that it’s too early to reach any conclusions and that things will become clearer with time.

Crucially, Lineker warned that tougher challenges await. He noted that while it is easy to be motivated for marquee fixtures against City and Arsenal, the true test of progress will be United’s ability to break down defensive, low-block teams.

United are next in action on Sunday when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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