Ruben Amorim, the newly appointed Manchester United manager, has been advised to adopt a no-nonsense approach by former footballer Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock.
The ex-Liverpool and England defender believes Amorim must start his rebuild by offloading three veteran players who no longer fit the club’s long-term ambitions.
Amorim’s Task: A Long-Term Vision
Amorim, 39, took the reins at Old Trafford last month after Erik ten Hag’s turbulent tenure.
Despite an unconvincing start with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, Amorim followed it up with a commanding 4-0 win over Everton.
However, Ruddock warns that restoring Manchester United to glory will require a three-to-four-year plan and tough decisions.
“United isn’t going to be a quick fix. This is a huge task, and it’s going to take time for United to be challenging again,” Ruddock told 10bet.
Players in the Spotlight
According to Ruddock, Amorim should focus on moving on players aged 30 or older, naming Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Casemiro as potential candidates.
“If you’re Ruben Amorim, you’re looking at the players over the age of 30 and asking what role they’ll play in the club’s future. These are the guys to consider moving on,” he said.
While acknowledging that finding a market for these players might be challenging, Ruddock emphasizes the need for Amorim to be “ruthless” to steer the club back to the top.
Upcoming Challenge Against Arsenal
Amorim faces his toughest test yet as Manchester United travel to north London to face Arsenal on Wednesday.
The Gunners, managed by Mikel Arteta, are in red-hot form, having won their last three matches convincingly.
In his pre-match press conference, Amorim acknowledged Arsenal’s quality:
“Arsenal are the best team we’ve faced so far. They are at a different point in their journey. But every game is a test, and we are managing as best as we can.”
What’s Next for United?
As Amorim tackles his first major test against Arsenal, the question remains: will he heed Ruddock’s advice and initiate a bold reshaping of the squad, or will the veterans stay to guide his long-term vision? Only time will tell