Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has come under scrutiny following his team’s recent loss to Everton
Manchester United are still reeling from their defeat to Everton on Monday night. Ruben Amorim’s side saw their five-game unbeaten streak end after failing to find a way to score against 10-man Everton at Old Trafford.
An early red card for Idrissa Gueye after a clash with his team-mate Michael Keane did not help United’s cause. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall still put the away side in front before the break and David Moyes’ team held on to claim a memorable three points.
United’s lack of European football means Amorim has several days to mull over where his team went wrong. In terms of their hopes of returning to European competition, United currently sit 10th in the table but are still just three points off a Champions League spot.
The club will hope to return to winning form at the weekend but face a tricky trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at some of the latest headlines surrounding the Red Devils.
Ruben Amorim makes tactics claim
Ruben Amorim has hit back at claims that he refuses to change his tactics. The United boss has routinely been criticised throughout his tenure for sticking with his preferred back-three formation, with some pundits and sections of supporters arguing that his squad are not best suited to the system.
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Earlier this season, Amorim claimed that not even the Pope could get him to change his system. However, the United boss has now admitted that he is willing to tweak his tactics and make in-game changes, referencing the fluid attack he adopted at Sporting CP which often saw Viktor Gyokeres operate out wide.
“We did it against Liverpool, it wasn’t with Bryan Mbeumo, it was with Cunha,” Amorim explained to DAZN Portugal. And it’s an option that we have, and nowadays, everyone, I think not only in the English league but in the Portuguese league, in all leagues, there’s a great variation in how things are structured.
“We might say it’s a 4-4-2, but five minutes later it’s a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3. And therefore I’m willing to do anything, contrary to what many people think that I’m too fixated on one thing. I simply start with a basic foundation, but obviously, we can use it in the future.”
Triple transfer decision
Manchester United are set to decide whether to send a trio of young prospects out on loan in the January transfer window. The Daily Mail reports that defender Ayden Heaven will be one of those under consideration as the 19-year-old has struggled for regular minutes this term and faces increased competition from a returning Lisandro Martinez.
Summer signing Diego Leon could be another to seal a temporary move away from Old Trafford. The 18-year-old full-back has featured in matchday squads but is yet to make his first team debut and has been linked with a loan move to Nice.
Sekou Kone is another highly-rated star who has been tipped for a loan move in January. The 19-year-old midfielder has not been involved with the first team so far this season.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
