Man Utd told Ruben Amorim would have been perfect fit for Premier League rivals as problems deepen after Man City derby defeat

After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham, United hoped that things would change in the 2025-26 campaign under Amorim, especially after spending heavily in the summer transfer window to rebuild the team. However, the Red Devils find themselves 14th in the league table after their first four games and they were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the second round by League Two side Grimsby. 

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson has boldly claim that Amorim would have been a perfect fit at Chelsea instead of United. The 40-year-old's 3-4-3 system has come under intense scrutiny, especially after the derby loss at Manchester City, but he is refusing to change his set-up.

In his column on Sky Sports, Merson wrote: "Ruben Amorim, the way he wants to play, is a worry. He won't change. He'll look at it and say 'I've got where I am today by playing the way I play,' using three at the back and high wing-backs. He would have been a perfect fit for Chelsea. They've got world-class wing-backs in Reece James and Malo Gusto, they've got the best holding midfield player in the league in Moises Caicedo. It would fit the players. 

"You look at Man United and this system does not suit the squad they've got at all. The two wing-backs are nowhere near it, nowhere near good enough. And they are a big part of this formation working. No legs in midfield. Everything is up against him."

United will next face Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday. While the Blues will be busy with their Champions League commitments, as they face Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Amorim will get the entire week to prepare his team for the key domestic clash at Old Trafford.