Liverpool's reasons for overlooking Ruben Amorim explain why Man Utd are struggling

Liverpool’s decision to overlook Ruben Amorim could explain why he has made such a torrid start to life as Manchester United boss.

The Portuguese coach is the latest man to be jettisoned into the seemingly poisoned chalice that is the manager's job at Old Trafford. Despite promising early signs, including a dramatic away win in the Manchester derby, it has been increasingly grim fare for Reds Devils fans.

The dreaded ‘R’ word – relegation – has even been mentioned following a run of three successive defeats as teams near the bottom, like Wolves and Ipswich, begin to improve. If that wasn’t bad enough, a trip to rampant Liverpool awaits Amorim and his beleaguered players on Sunday.

Scene of surely their nadir of the last decade – the 7-0 trouncing in March 2023 – Anfield is the last place on earth United would want to head this weekend. In a different life, the former Sporting CP boss could conceivably have been sat in the home technical area rather than the visitors’ one.

Amorim was linked with Liverpool last year following Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down after nine years. A young, exciting and forward-thinking coach, he fitted the bill in the view of many.

But crucially not according to Liverpool’s decision-makers, who wanted to press on with a Klopp-like approach, which included four at the back, report the Daily Mail. The Reds thought highly of the Portuguese coach but were not ready to rip things up and start afresh - a decision which has been ratified with Slot's men sitting top of the Premier League and Champions League tables.

With Amorim not prepared to compromise his tried and tested three-at-the-back system, Liverpool’s interest came to nothing. Instead, the 39-year-old, whose preference was to take over at United in the summer, is trying to implement a way of playing that is alien to many in his expensive but confidence-sapped squad.

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At present, there are a host of square pegs in round holes. United had spent massive sums to build the squad in Erik ten Hag's vision but now he's gone, Amorim is having to make do with what he's got as he continues to stick to his guns on the formation.

In hindsight, United’s now-or-never ultimatum about his start date looks flawed. The shortage of training time, caused by the deluge of fixtures, has further hindered Amorim, who has already seen one of the men who brought him to the club, Dan Ashworth, axed as sporting director.

To his credit, Amorim is doing his best to stay upbeat. After United suffered five league defeats in the same calendar month for the first time since September 1962, he said: “I know it will take a lot of hard work from everyone to get there, but I am very excited about where we can go together in 2025.”

Despite his underwhelming start, United chiefs believe that over time, he will get the best out of players with high potential and build towards success. For now, though, Amorim and United, may have to take their medicine.

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