Cheap Mistakes of Ruben Amorim Tactics Against Tottenham: Should He be Sacked?

Manchester United’s recent match against Tottenham was nothing short of a disaster, leaving fans frustrated and questioning coach Ruben Amorim’s decision-making.

From poor player selections to missed tactical opportunities, many believe it’s time for him to go.

Spurs took the lead in the 13th minute when Maddison scored after a series of deflections off a cross from Son Heung-min.

Alejandro Garnacho missed a golden chance to equalize in the 23rd minute and had two more shots saved by Tottenham’s Vicario in the second half.

Tottenham dominated possession, recording 22 shots, with United struggling to keep up. Joshua Zirkzee nearly equalized with a header that went wide, but United ultimately suffered their 12th league defeat, continuing their poor form.

Below are the key reasons why Ruben Amorim’s choices in this game may have sealed his fate.

Mistakes of Ruben Amorim Made

Although Ruben Amorim has a very inexperienced bench against Tottenham, with only Victor Lindelöf (30) over 19 years old.

He made just one substitution, bringing on Chido Obi-Martin in stoppage time for his senior debut.

1. Starting Casemiro and Bruno as Defensive Midfielders Was a Mistake

Amorim made a weird choice by putting both Casemiro and Bruno in defensive roles. Starting both Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as defensive midfielders was a questionable decision from the start.

Casemiro’s form has been shaky, and hasn’t been at his best lately, he’s been slow and a little lazy. Pairing him with an already exhausted Fernandes left Manchester United’s midfield vulnerable.

Tottenham’s midfield, led by Maddison, took full advantage, driving forward without much resistance.

Amorim should have considered younger, fresher players to bring some energy into the midfield early in the game, but he stuck with his initial lineup, to the team’s detriment.

3. Bruno Fernandes Looked Exhausted

Bruno Fernandes is the heartbeat of Manchester United, but in this game, he looked visibly tired. His lazy passes and ineffective free kicks cost United valuable chances. His kicks lacked power and precision.

As the captain, Fernandes is expected to lead by example, but his energy levels were low, and his defensive efforts were poor. You could tell he wasn’t himself, but Amorim still left him on the field.

His tired performance gave Tottenham’s James Maddison the perfect chance to dominate in the middle of the field. Maddison easily capitalized on this, shining in the midfield.

Ruben Amorim had every reason to substitute Fernandes or change tactics to support him, yet he persisted, letting Bruno’s fatigue damage the team’s overall performance.

2. Ignoring Diogo Dalot’s Lack of Attacking Abilities

Diogo Dalot’s lack of attacking presence was painfully clear during the match. Nearly 90% of his passes went back to the defense, stalling Manchester United’s forward momentum.

If you watched the game, you probably noticed that he seemed afraid to move forward. Almost every time he had the ball, he passed it back to the defenders instead of helping the team attack.

When the team desperately needed to push forward, Dalot seemed more interested in playing it safe.

It was frustrating to see him play it safe over and over again, especially when Manchester United needed to score. Amorim didn’t do anything about it, though.

As a coach, he should have noticed this and either swapped Dalot out or shifted him to a different role but he did nothing. This hesitation only weakened United’s chances of mounting a serious offensive.

4. Garnacho’s Missed Opportunities in the Box

Alejandro Garnacho had several golden opportunities to score, but his lack of control and selfish decision-making were disappointing.

In one key moment, Alejandro Garnacho had a golden chance to score when he found himself free in the box, but he messed it up. Instead of taking a careful shot, he kicked the ball wildly, sending it far off-target.

You could almost feel the disappointment in the air.

At 1-0 down, Manchester United needed every opportunity to count, and Garnacho wasted multiple chances by either losing the ball or making hasty decisions.

Even though it was obvious he wasn’t playing well, Amorim didn’t make any changes. He let Garnacho stay on, missing chances to make something happen.

5. Failing to Use Fresh Talent

With the midfield struggling, Amorim missed a clear opportunity to bring in younger, more energetic players earlier. Chido Obi, a promising talent, remained on the bench far too long.

With Tottenham advancing and Zirkzee gaining control in the middle, Obi’s positioning abilities could have changed the momentum of the game.

Yet, Amorim delayed Obi’s introduction until it was too late. Obi’s fresh legs might have provided the spark needed to turn the tide, but Amorim’s reluctance to trust in his younger players cost the team dearly.

6. Rasmus Højlund Wasn’t Utilized Properly

Rasmus Højlund, a key attacking player, was largely invisible throughout the game. Not because of his ability, but because Amorim’s tactics failed to utilize him effectively.

Højlund was left stranded, with little support from the midfield to create chances. Rather than adjusting the play to involve him more, Amorim stuck to his game plan, leaving Højlund to struggle without proper service.

In a game where United needed goals, failing to get Højlund more involved was a massive oversight.

7. The Cost of Stubborn Tactics

Amorim’s refusal to make changes at critical moments was perhaps the most frustrating part of the game.

The lazy midfield, tired captain, and struggling attack were all clear signs that the original tactics weren’t working, yet Amorim waited too long to adjust.

Even when he did make substitutions, they felt too little, too late. A coach’s job is to read the game and make quick, decisive changes, but Amorim’s stubbornness cost Manchester United dearly.

Garry Navilee’s Analysis in the video below;

FAQs

Q: Why is Diogo Dalot’s performance being criticized?
A: Dalot spent most of the game passing backward, stalling any attacking plays. His reluctance to press forward or switch positions was noticeable, and Amorim failed to intervene.

Q: What was wrong with starting Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes together?
A: Both players were too slow and tired, leaving Manchester United’s midfield open to attack. Tottenham easily dominated that area of the field, and Amorim didn’t make timely changes.

Q: Could Garnacho’s missed chances have changed the game?
A: Yes. Garnacho had multiple scoring opportunities but lacked control and decision-making in key moments. Amorim’s decision to keep him on the pitch was costly.

Ruben Amorim’s Future in Question

Ruben Amorim’s failure to adjust during the Tottenham match showed a lack of tactical flexibility that fans and critics alike found unacceptable.

From poor player selections to delayed substitutions, Amorim’s decisions contributed to a frustrating loss.

For a team like Manchester United, which prides itself on its winning mentality, such mistakes could spell the end of Amorim’s tenure as manager.

If Amorim hopes to keep his job, he must learn from these errors and start trusting in fresh talent, making changes when they matter most. But after this game, many believe it’s already too late.