Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has come under fire for deploying Amad in an unfamiliar position at Old Trafford, with Tony Mowbray criticising the decision
Tony Mowbray is bewildered by Ruben Amorim’s decision to utilise Amad as a right wing-back. The Manchester United boss was thrown a lifeline this summer, as the hierarchy supported him with signings and gave him a full pre-season to right last season’s wrongs.
The Red Devils endured a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League last term, with Amorim being conservative with his expenditure in the January transfer window, while reshaping the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag. However, the 40-year-old has certainly compensated for missed opportunities this summer, splashing out over £200million on a fresh attacking trio of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, with expectations of enhanced displays for his first full season on the sidelines.
Following Mbeumo’s arrival on the right flank, Amorim has opted to position Amad as a wing-back, despite the youngster’s obvious talents lying in his offensive capabilities rather than defensive duties. And it’s a decision that has left Mowbray perplexed.
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Speaking on No Tippy Tappy Football, the 61-year-old said: « In my opinion, and can I say this from a position of total humility that he’s manager of Manchester United, who am I? Who am I to tell him what to do? But in my stomach, it feels like you don’t have to play 5-4-1, whatever you want to call it.
« You don’t have to do it. If the group of players is screaming at you to play a three-man midfield to protect the mobility of a Casemiro if you want to play him or whoever it might be. You maybe have to put an extra man in there, so why would you be so stuck on one system and trying to force Amad as a right wing-back?
« Amad who’s a brilliant footballer, Man United class I would suggest. I speak to Gary Pallister a lot about this when we sit and have coffee near my street most days. Amad, he’s a genius.
« I talked about not having to look at the ball, the ball’s stuck to his left foot. He is a brilliant football player, and a brilliant human being. And you’re playing him at right wing-back just to fit into your system. »
Mowbray notably guided Amad during his temporary spell with Sunderland between 2022 and 2023, where he netted 14 times and registered four assists across 42 Championship appearances, reports the Manchester Evening News. Reflecting on his experience with the starlet, he added: « Amad was one of the ones who wanted to get better and wanted to practice.
« He should be bending it in the top corner with his left foot, he should be sitting people on their backside and scoring wonderful goals like I know he can. Why’s he chasing people into his own box playing right wing-back? »
A fan favourite on both flanks, Amad was the starting right wing-back for Manchester United in their draw against Fulham and win over Burnley, causing quite a stir among football enthusiasts globally. However, with Mbeumo’s versatility as either a winger or a centre forward, the 23-year-old might struggle to secure playing time in his favoured position this season.
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