Three Manchester United stars ‘do not work in the Premier League’ while playing Ruben Amorim’s system.
That is the opinion of former United full-back Danny Simpson after the Red Devils were embarrassed 3-0 by Manchester City in an emotionally-charged derby on Sunday.
Phil Foden and Erling Haaland got the goals at the Etihad, with United now winning just one of their opening five games of the season in all competitions.
The away side did start the game well but failed to generate many clear cut chances and after conceding the second goal, their heads dropped completely.
Few players could come away with any praise, with Simpson singling out three defenders who are ill suited to play under Amorim – one of whom wasn’t even in the matchday squad.
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‘The ball goes to [Patrick] Dorgu on the left. City let him have it [because they know] he’s not going to hurt you,’ the Leicester City hero and Premier League winner told Stadium Astro.
‘He’ll try and run up and down all day, but we’ve got nothing down the flanks. When Amad [Diallo] plays as a wingback he’s going to get it, he’s going to do something.
‘But when you’ve got Dorgu or [Noussair] Mazraoui or [Diogo] Dalot, I just don’t think that can work in the Premier League.
‘And trying to create chances… I felt sorry for [Benjamin] Sesko today. He’s trying but there’s nothing he can do.’
In their win over Burnley last time out, Amad played at right-wingback with Dalot on the other flank but the latter is currently sidelined after picking up an injury during the international break.
With forwards Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount also injured, Amad was moved into attack for the derby with Dorgu and Mazraoui coming in, and pundits were left questioning why Amad didn’t start in his usual position, with Kobbie Mainoo brought into the attack instead.
‘Crazy [Mainoo didn’t start]. When he comes on there’s a bit of energy,’ Simpson added.
‘He was trying, getting on the ball, forward runs, that’s what we’re missing. A couple of time he was trying to make a run to disrupt City’s defence.
‘He knows what this means and there’s too many players out there that look like they don’t really care. Flimsy. Didn’t look like they wanted it enough.’
The derby defeat leaves United 14th in the table after four league games and the pressure will be on Amorim to turn things around when they host high-flying Chelsea next Saturday.
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