Michah Richards explains why Ruben Amorim’s job at Man United is ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ – and warns that it could get ‘WORSE’ for the beleaguered club before they improve

Micah Richards insisted that darker days may be on the way for Man United, despite Ruben Amorim‘s side currently languishing in 14th in the Premier League table.

The Portuguese boss took the reigns at Old Trafford at the start of November and has won just two of his eight league games at the club.

They are rotting in the bottom half of the table – closer to the relegation zone (seven points) than the top four (13 points) – in the middle of a four-game losing streak.

They bowed out of the EFL Cup last month after losing to Spurs in the quarter-final, meaning they only have two real chances of winning silverware this season – the FA Cup (where they face Arsenal away in the third round) and the Europa League. 

However, speaking on The Rest is Football with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, Richards explained that United fans may have to weather a further storm under Amorim.

Shearer asked: ‘How long does [Amorim] go on persisting with his system? Because clearly the players he has got in that squad can’t play the way he wants them to play?’

The Red Devils have scored just 21 league goals – less than Wolves (31) and Leicester (22)

Micah Richards insisted that Amorim should not change his tactics despite United’s poor form

‘As long as he can. I don’t think he changes his ways whatsoever, because then he’s admitted defeat,’ Richards replied.

Shearer questioned whether Amorim should cater to his players and change his style of football to extract the best performances out of them – an approach which United managers have been slammed for in the past.

‘Really? When you say he admits defeat, is he not saying “Well okay, I’ve tried that way and my players can’t play that way, so I’ll have to change for the benefit of the team”?’ the Newcastle legend asked.

Richards stuck by his guns and argued that United have tried every formation under the sun, and for Amorim to switch his tactics now would be a mistake. He added that the Red Devils may need to endure some growing pains before they improve.

‘It’s not like United were great three years ago, and then Ten Hag came in and it was really bad. But they’ve not played well for years, and they’ve tried every formation possible,’ he said.

‘So if you’re a manager, you’re not going to doubt yourself and go into a system that you don’t know. I think this is just one that’s going to take a lot of time, obviously the players are not good enough to fit into his system, but if he starts changing now…’

‘They’re getting worse though, Micah!’ Shearer interrupted. 

‘I think sometimes you have to get worse, before you go forward because they’ve tried everything else,’ Richards insisted.

United have not won consecutive league games all season – their last came in in May 2024

Alan Shearer questioned whether Amorim should cater his tactics to his set of players

Regarding this month’s transfer window, Lineker argued that Amorim needs players that fit into his system if United wish to salvage their season.

They are well on track to eclipse their worst points tally in a Premier League campaign. After 19 games, United have logged 22 points; at this rate, Amorim’s strugglers would finish on 44 points and blow their previous record-low of 58 in 2021-22 out of the water.

‘We know there’s never too much transfer action in the January window, but if there’s going to be one club, it needs to be Man United,’ Lineker said.

‘[Amorim] needs players that can play in the way he wants to play, and if they don’t come in quickly, they’re going to struggle.’

‘Not only does he need players in, he needs players out as well,’ Shearer added.

Richard agreed, and argued that United do not have the personnel in their squad to emulate Amorim’s dynamic style of play at Sporting, which required heavy pressing and fluid movement between positions.

‘You’re right. if you look at how [Sporting] played in Portugal, how anyone thought this group of players could do what [Amorim] is trying to do – it’s impossible,’ Richards said.

‘Man United do not have legs. It’s Alan’s point, you probably would tweak things a little bit, play this way until the end of the season, and then once [Amorim] gets [his] players in, this is what [he’s] going to do.

Gary Lineker believes United must be active in the transfer window to save their season

‘But he’s come in, he had that big win against Man City in the Champions League, Man United fans are going crazy on social media saying, “Oh my God, this is how we’re going to play.” He’s not got the players to do that, so what does everyone expect?’

‘I bet he thinks, what on earth have I walked into – both on and off the pitch,’ Shearer said.