Owen Hargreaves has raised concerns over Ruben Amorim’s midfield tactics, warning that Manchester United’s current setup could be exposed against top Premier League teams like Arsenal and Manchester City.
After securing a 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt in his debut match at Old Trafford, Amorim opted for a central-midfield pairing of Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, with Mason Mount and Alejandro Garnacho playing behind striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Despite the win, Hargreaves believes that a two-man midfield may not be effective against stronger opposition in the Premier League.
“I don’t think they have the personnel to win the Premier League or Champions League right now,” Hargreaves told TNT Sports. “That’s going to take time, and they will need to sort out their recruitment.”
Hargreaves, who played for United during their successful years, suggested that Amorim may need to adapt his tactics for tougher opponents.
He emphasized that playing a two-man midfield against Arsenal or Manchester City could prove “really, really difficult,” as both teams have midfielders with exceptional athleticism and cover large distances.
“If you’re going to play two in there, they need to be two super-athletes,” Hargreaves continued.
“I’m not sure United have that yet. Maybe one of the No.10s needs to drop deeper or one of the wing-backs could get higher for width, but this setup could struggle against top teams.”
Despite the challenges, Hargreaves acknowledged that Amorim is still in the early stages of his United tenure and that his tactics are a work in progress.
“It’s important to be patient, but United’s midfield setup needs tweaking for the more difficult games,” he said. “It’ll take time to find the right balance, but Amorim has the potential to get it right.”
Hargreaves also highlighted the potential of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has yet to feature in either of Amorim’s games as manager.
The former United player believes that Mainoo, a “special young player,” could be crucial in shaping United’s midfield in the future.
“The way Mainoo plays, he could almost walk into this midfield setup,” Hargreaves said. “There are a lot of options available, and it’ll be exciting to see how Amorim integrates them into the squad.”
Hargreaves also praised Rasmus Hojlund’s performance, particularly his two goals against Bodo/Glimt, and expressed confidence in the striker’s future at United.
Additionally, he highlighted the potential return of key players such as Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, and Noussair Mazraoui, who could bolster the squad’s strength.
“There’s so much potential in this team,” Hargreaves said. “Amorim has a great track record with young players, and I’m sure he’ll bring out the best in Hojlund, just like he did with Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting.”
As United moves forward, the team’s tactical adjustments and depth will be closely monitored, especially as they face higher-level competition in both domestic and European competitions.