Should we be patient and judge Amorim next season?
- Published
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.
Mike asked: Manchester United may 'only' be six points off fourth place, but there are a lot of teams in between. Clearly not all teams above are going to drop more points than United do. I feel we should stop focusing on fourth place and focus on improvement for next season. Where we finish is where we finish.
I don't know if it is instant gratification or a lack of knowledge among many fans, but (tell me if I am wrong) a new coach does not simply say: 'Now we set up like this, you play this position and problem solved'. It takes a lot of time and practice to replace old ways and habits with new ones.
I say we need to be patient and judge it in the new season. What is your take on whether Manchester United are likely to improve?
Phil answered: These are all very good points and Ruben Amorim made a lot of them himself after the draw at Ipswich Town, when he pointed out that Manchester United will have to "suffer" while he implements his tactical tweaks, saying it was worth risking things tactically now to feel the benefit next season.
So yes, patience will be needed and, in my experience, Manchester United fans are remarkably patient with their managers.
What we have seen from Amorim already is a clear identity in terms of how he wants to play and a clear idea of his strategy. I don't think we ever really saw that from Erik ten Hag.
I think United will improve – and I wouldn't write off fourth place either, because I really believe that slot is wide open – but it will take time and patience, and there will be bumps along the way.