Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has opened up on the Red Devils’ struggles despite Ruben Amorim’s appointment.

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Stam opens up about Man Utd strugglesBelieves Man Utd made a transfer mistakeWanted McTominay to stay at Old TraffordFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester United parted ways with Erik ten Hag in October after the Dutch manager led the Red Devils to an abysmal start to the 2024-25 season. After hiring Amorim as head coach last month, United have not been able to have the same kind of turnaround to form as fans may have hoped for as the 20-time Premier League champions have only won four times in the Portuguese coach’s first nine matches in charge of the club. Stam has discussed why he feels, Manchester United’s struggles are continuing under Amorim.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT STAM SAID

Speaking to SportLens, Stam said: “We could see what Erik ten Hag was trying to do at Manchester United and how he wanted to play, from his time at Ajax, but the players struggled. That is down to both the manager but also the players and whether they can execute the game plan that they are taught when it comes to matches.

“That’s the same big question now with Amorim as it was with Ten Hag, can the players adapt and dominate games in his three-at-the-back system. At the moment it's still not very dominant in how they play within the new system despite there being a few wins which was similar for Ten Hag during his start at the club.

“I think the manager knows that the team isn’t up to standard yet, that’s why there will also be interest in the transfer window and looking at players that might need to be signed and also players who could head in the other direction.

“You need defenders who can play in big spaces, especially when the wing-backs are high up the pitch and two midfielders who can be good in possession but also have the legs to get up and down the pitch.

“The forwards need to be able to make runs in behind but also drop into deep positions, that’s why the manager is testing everyone and seeing if they can perform to his standards. We’ve seen some players struggle with the intensity of the Premier League.”

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Stam also believes that Manchester United made an error by selling Scott McTominay to Napoli this summer as he added: “Scott McTominay has been a very important influence at Manchester United even though he wasn’t a guaranteed starter. He scored goals and had a big impact and those are the players you don’t want to lose as a football club.

“Leaving might’ve been a good step for him, as is currently being discussed with Marcus Rashford, but he may well have wanted to stay. He has been a very important player for Napoli and his confidence is growing because he is starting most games and overall I think selling him was a bad call at United.

“Sometimes you have to make tough decisions as a club and I understand that, but I wouldn’t have been keen to sell McTominay.”

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

The Red Devils have definitely been better under Amorim than they had been under Ten Hag, however, it is clear that the squad still needs some time to get in tune with the Portuguese coach’s demands. They will be in action next when they take on Wolves on Boxing Day.