Ruben Amorim has repeatedly stressed that patience will be needed at Manchester United this season.
Patience is a rare commodity in football, but Manchester United have won six of their last eight matches across all competitions which suggests progress is being made.
Ruben Amorim called for patience at the start of December, and the Portuguese head coach is still trying to get his ideas across to his players.
United have lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation ever since his appointment in November, and Amorim has stubbornly stuck to his plan through good results and bad.
The idea is to suffer in the short term in order to succeed in the long term. There is no point changing the system this season and then having to learn it all over again in a few months.
One of the biggest criticisms under Erik ten Hag was that his United side lacked a clear style of play. That is precisely what Ruben Amorim is trying to fix.
Man United players express concern over Ruben Amorim tactics
United knew what they were getting when they hired Amorim. He has had huge success with his 3-4-2-1 shape at Sporting Lisbon, and he is now trying to implement that at United.
Bruno Fernandes said he will ‘adapt’ for Amorim after he arrived at United, but it seems that view isn’t shared by everyone in the dressing room.
According to the Daily Mail, United players have discussed among themselves whether a change in the style of play is the best way forward.
The report adds that there is “growing concern” among the squad that the teething problems suffered at the start of Amorim’s tenure will continue unless he considers tweaking the system.
That is simply out of the equation, and a terrible reflection on the attitude of the current squad.
Amorim will not change. After the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, the United boss said: “It’s really hard for them. But I maintain my idea, I want to play a certain way until the end.
“If I change everything now, we are going to lose everything.”
Man United players also turned on Erik ten Hag
When United hired Ten Hag, the hope was that he would implement the high-pressing, high-octane football that made his Ajax side so lovable.
That didn’t go to plan, with Ten Hag having to adapt his system and style of play after United’s players struggled to adapt.
There were far too many spaces in midfield, with Ten Hag repeatedly criticising the fitness of his players. In the end, United approached every match differently and ultimately resorted to counter-attacking when they were out of ideas.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim says something he ‘complained’ about all the time at Man Utd is not an issue anymore
United players questioned Ten Hag’s tactics before he was sacked by the club. Now, history is repeating itself for Amorim.
United supporters are well aware that this current squad is not good enough, and Amorim should be given the power and backing to make whatever changes he needs to get his ideas across.
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