Amorim would be perfect for Chelsea — Ex-Arsenal star talks up Man United boss

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has raised concerns about Ruben Amorim’s tactical approach at Manchester United, arguing that while the manager’s philosophy is admirable, it simply does not fit the Red Devils’ current squad.

According to Merson, Amorim’s system would be far better suited at Chelsea, where the players available align with his tactical ideals.

Merson explained that Amorim’s insistence on a back three with high full-backs is proving costly at Manchester United.

The former Arsenal midfielder pointed out that United’s current full-backs are not at the required level for such a demanding system, and the midfield lacks the pace needed to execute it effectively.

He stressed that the club’s squad composition leaves the manager fighting an uphill battle, with too many players unable to adapt to his tactical vision.

Manchester United’s struggles were highlighted in their 3-2 win over Burnley, where they required a last-minute penalty to rescue three points.

Merson further underlined that United’s inability to win back-to-back league matches for nearly a year is “simply unthinkable” for a club of their stature, showing how poorly the system and personnel are meshing.

In contrast, Merson believes Amorim would thrive at Chelsea, where his tactical philosophy would be complemented by the squad’s strengths.

He highlighted the Blues’ full-backs, Reece James and Malo Gusto, as ideal players to excel in the system, supported by Moisés Caicedo, whom he described as the Premier League’s best defensive midfielder.

Chelsea’s structure would allow Amorim to implement his back-three approach with greater success, maximising the strengths of his wing-backs and midfield.

For Merson, Amorim does not need to abandon his footballing beliefs, but he must learn to adapt to the players at his disposal. While his vision might be perfect for Chelsea, it continues to look mismatched with United’s current squad, leaving major doubts over what the season holds