Man Utd: Ruben Amorim’s ‘worst team’ comments analysed
Amorim’s comments were criticized by some former Premier League players.
talking about BBC Radio 5 Live’s daily football podcastFormer West Ham United and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Koke said this could put more pressure on players.
“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” he said. “This comment is absolutely crazy.
“I think Amorim is too honest and he needs to be more of a statesman. By saying comments like this and putting them out there, it puts more pressure on the players.
“How are they going to face him after all these things he said? I wish he had given them a different message in the dressing room.”
Chatting Monday Nightclub live on BBC Radio 5Blackburn’s Premier League winner Chris Sutton added: “It’s a message for everyone.
“Usually when a coach comes out and comes out so strong, it’s a last resort, a last ditch effort. Maybe he’ll regret saying that.”
Meanwhile, former Everton and England defender Phil Jagielka said Amorim was trying to limit his responsibility for United’s woes.
“I think he’s basically saying ‘We’re terrible, please don’t blame me. These are not my players. I’m going to play my way. I need some players to play in a system and I’m just going to play’ .
“I think he’s saying ‘I can’t perform miracles unless you give me the players I want’. Between now and the end of the season he’s not going to make tactical changes based on what the team needs.”
Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson told Sky Sports: “If my manager came out and said I was part of the worst Manchester United team in history, I’m not sure I would be happy.
“I understood what he was trying to do, but it became awkward.”
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman can understand the intention, even if he doesn’t like hearing it as a player.
“To say they’re the worst ever, that’s a pretty bold statement,” he said.
“I personally don’t like being called that. It might excite me – and that’s probably my intention – but no one wants to be called the worst team ever. That’s probably an honest one – and it’s Correct – statement.”
Meanwhile, speaking on Sky’s Monday Night Football, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher added: “I don’t have time to follow this Manchester United team. I don’t get a sense of the players or their confidence – in any case, Half of them are a joke.”
“But I would be very surprised if the powers that be above him (Amorim) don’t say something very strong. As a Manchester United manager you don’t speak like that. When you are in a very bad situation you can’t add fuel to the fire. “
