Jamie Carragher provides theory why Liverpool moved for Arne Slot instead of Ruben Amorim – as he explains the ‘immediate problem’ the Sporting boss will face at Man United

Jamie Carragher has suggested why his former side Liverpool appointed Arne Slot in the summer instead of Manchester United‘s new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Although the Sporting Lisbon boss has now been confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s successor at Old Trafford, he will stay in charge of the Portuguese club for another three games.

Having compared the saga to a ‘soap opera’ on Thursday, the Portuguese vowed to give clarity on his future after Friday’s clash between Sporting and Estrela da Amadora.

However, Manchester United confirmed in a statement at midday on Friday that Amorim would take over at Old Trafford on November 11.

He will be tasked with improving what has been a dire start to the season, with United 14th in the Premier League table and without a win in Europe for over a year.

Manchester United enjoyed a 5-2 win in the Carabao Cup days after Erik ten Hag’s sacking

Carragher noted how the majority of players at United were bought in to suit the Dutchman

It won’t be an easy task, and Carragher, writing in his column for The Telegraph, has suggested why he is currently heading to the United dugout rather than Liverpool.

‘Amorim is one of the current generations of coaches who play three centre halves,’ he wrote. ‘Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi are the same.

‘My suspicion is that one of the reasons Liverpool favoured Slot over Amorim last summer is because the Dutchman prefers the more traditional four at the back, so the transition was easier for the squad he inherited.

‘Under Jurgen Klopp, the style of the first team was mirrored down to academy level to ensure those who made the step up were familiar with the playing patterns.’

Amorim’s first game in charge will likely be United’s visit to Ipswich on November 24.

He is highly rated, but it will be no quick fix for the Portuguese, according to Carragher, and he has theorised why. 

‘[The players] may not be suited to the system the new manager played at Sporting Lisbon.’

Amorim had been linked with the likes of Liverpool and West Ham in recent months, going as far as flying in for talks with Hammers officials over their vacant managers’ role in the summer.

He later apologised, taking charge of Sporting at the start of this season after delivering a second league title under his stewardship last season.

The former Liverpool defender also suggested why the Reds opted against appointing him as their manager

Arne Slot (pictured) was chosen as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, with the Dutchman playing a back four

Liverpool, meanwhile, instead opted to appoint Arne Slot, who has overseen a fine start to his reign, winning 12 of their first 14 games with one defeat and one draw to his side’s name.

It was a drawn-out process when it came to appointing Jurgen Klopp’s successor, with the decision so far being rewarded at Anfield.

Carragher, meanwhile, has explained why he feels the Reds opted to appoint the Dutchman instead of Amorim.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue his role as interim manager until Amorim joins the club, having overseen a 5-2 win over Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

That means he will take charge of three more matches: the Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday, a Europa League game versus PAOK next midweek and the home game against Leicester that weekend in the league.

What happens to him afterwards, however, is up for debate, with Amorim to bring his own staff with him to Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy has, however, admitted he would like to stay and intends to do just that. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted he is keen to stay at Old Trafford when Amorim is appointed

‘It’s going to be short job as an interim – that was communicated very clearly, and I was happy with that,’ he said. ‘I decided to come back here for a very important reason: that I am here as an assistant, I came here to help the club forward and I am still very motivated to do so in any capacity, as an assistant and now an interim.

‘After this I go back to my assistant contract I have here for this season and next. I am very motivated to stay here and help the club forward.

‘We will see but it is the contract situation I am in, and my desire to help the club forward. I can speak to you about my side of the story and after the when the new manager is signing and conversations take place, we have to see how things develop.’