Ruben Amorim told he must abandon winning philosophy if he is to be successful at Man Utd as Red Devils' squad is called out for awful 'athleticism'

Just days after Erik ten Hag's United sacking, Sporting boss Amorim was confirmed as his successor. The 39-year-old has impressed during his time with the Portuguese giants but former Liverpool player Danny Murphy feels he must abandon his approach that has served him so well at the Liga Portugal team when he switches to the Red Devils. He also called out United's lack of athleticism across the squad.

In a column for the Daily Mail, he said: "I'm sure Ruben Amorim is intelligent enough to realise he can’t just copy and paste what he did at Sporting Lisbon in order to create immediate success at Manchester United. To ask a squad which lacks athleticism and confidence to replicate his preferred 3-4-3 with high energy and flying wing backs carries big risks in the Premier League.

"The best managers adapt to personnel. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City tweaked things when Erling Haaland arrived. Jurgen Klopp opted for three midfield runners only after Philippe Coutinho had left. Initially, if Amorim demands this set of United players be progressive with the press and play a higher line, it would invite trouble.

"The central defenders don’t have the pace to compensate for a lack of numbers in midfield, particularly when Leny Yoro is injured. In Portugal, Sporting have the best players so it makes sense to be braver with philosophy and formation. United are a different case. Against better teams, they lack legs at this level."

Amorim will take charge of a side languishing down in 13th in the Premier League later this month, with the Portuguese facing a mammoth task on his hands. This will, no doubt, be the toughest test of his managerial career and it could prove to be a baptism of fire for him.

Amorim will begin his United tenure on November 11 and his first game in charge will be away to lowly Ipswich Town in the Premier League on November 24. Before then, the Red Devils host Chelsea on Sunday, where interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in the dugout again.