‘No chance’ – Danny Murphy explains why he’d hate to play under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United

Danny Murphy has slammed Ruben Amorim’s midfield system, and cited it as the reason why he wouldn’t want to play under him.

The Manchester United head coach has struggled to turn a corner in the new season, with his side still searching for their first win having taken just a point from their opening two Premier League games.

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After an historically bad 2024/25 campaign which saw the Red Devils finish 15th, and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham, their woes have continued so far this term.

A 1-0 defeat to Arsenal was followed by their 1-1 draw with Fulham last Sunday, with both matches highlighting their ongoing issues.

This has left Amorim facing ongoing scrutiny over his position, and has drawn criticism over his refusal to change his playing style.

Since taking charge at Old Trafford in November 2024, the Portuguese coach has persisted with a 3-4-3 formation, despite his players clearly struggling to get to grips with the system.

It is yet to yield the desired results, with Amorim’s side failing to win back-to-back Premier League games during his tenure.

And former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has become the latest critic of this formation, as he claimed employing a central midfield two is holding back United’s stars in the middle of the park.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan, Murphy insisted United’s playing squad is not the issue, but Amorim’s system instead.

He said: “I think that squad is able to compete. I just think his system is the problem, I’ve said it from day one.”

When asked if he would’ve like to play for Amorim, Murphy replied: “I wouldn’t like playing that system as a midfielder, no chance.”

And Murphy, who made 417 appearances in the Premier League as a midfielder, insisted that all of Man United’s central players have stalled in their development as a result of their head coach’s tactics.

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On Amorim, he continued: “He’s warm and charismatic – you can’t help but like him. 

“From a footballing perspective, that system – it’s not going to work.

“What midfielder at Manchester United has progressed in that system under him? They’ve all digressed.

“Every one of them has been hammered – and the reason is because if you play two in the middle of the park in any system, whether it be a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, if you’ve only got two in the middle, you’re going to get overrun and look troubled.”

Murphy highlighted the Red Devils midfielders whose performances have been criticised, including Kobbie Mainoo, who has been linked with a move away from the club in recent days.

The 20-year-old has played no part in either of United’s first two games, after losing his place to Bruno Fernandes, who has been deployed in a deeper role alongside Casemiro.

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This has led Mainoo to consider his future at the club, and talkSPORT understands he would potentially leave if a suitable offer is made, with Newcastle among the interested clubs.

Murphy added: “Mainoo’s been hammered, Casemiro’s been hammered, [Manuel] Ugarte has been hammered.

“Bruno’s been hammered playing in that role – Bruno’s [now] more of a four.”

What is next for Man United?

With pressure mounting, Amorim will be desperate to keep his critics at bay by avoiding a potential banana skin in the Carabao Cup.

United are targeting their first win of the season away to League Two side Grimsby on Wednesday night in the competition’s second round, live on talkSPORT.

Amorim’s side then return to Old Trafford on Saturday to host Burnley, who are 11th and above them in the Premier League.

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There is no let-up after the September international break, when United face Manchester City and Chelsea in back-to-back league games.

This is followed by a trip to Brentford, and results could see the club remain in the bottom half of the table by the end of next month.