I'm still at a complete loss as to how the fielded Man U side lost to Grimsby. I'm willing to entertain that the current squad is far from top quality, but when you have a 4 division difference, it should matter little about formation or whatever, even basic bloody self-respect means that, that team should be winning. So there is a serious issue there that goes beyond formation.
I think UTD had an 8/10 transfer window, and probably the best one they've had for years. I know nothing about this new keeper, and I would have MUCH preferred getting a known quantity. I hear the suggestion that we didn't entertain donnurama (sp?) because his wage request was 300K or so. I get that because utd don't want to go down that road again with every new player setting a benchmark wage. I hope the new keeper turns out to be good.
I hear chat that utd only playing 1 game a week is going to be bad for getting the system in place, but I heard all last season that playing twice a week meant that there was no time for training for the new system, so it can't be both.
I have no idea what the fundamental issue is with utd, and clearly Amorim's unbending formation is some part of it, but it goes waaay deeper than that, and I fear we've been so poor for so long, that whatever the issue is, it is has seeped into the very core of the club. I had hoped that a separate entity (ratcliffe) taking over all footballing operations would be the start of a something. And for all his detractors, be clear that he put £200M of his own personal money into the club, and it's gone. So this guy's commitment shouldn't be questioned, maybe other attributes, but not that.
And back to the amorim question, as someone upthread has said, I'd hate to have to start over again with ANOTHER manager. Awful results not withstanding, I feel invested in him in a way I didn't with Ten Hag. He's a believable guy and I get the sense that he is metaphorically pulling his hair out. If the rigidity of the system is part of the problem that's fine, what I don't want to hear is that "he's lost the dressing room", because frankly all that means is that the same playerpower still exists and we had thought we'd gotten rid of many of the negative influences in the dressing room.
Sadly I think Amorim will go, but I'll not be celebrating it if it happens because I think it'll likely signal yet another period of uncertainty. It would also reflect badly on the entire Ratcliffe project and the judgement of recruitment/ back office team he's put together.
Mind you should he go and his replacement make a significant and immediate positive impact on performances and results, I (and I suspect most others) would quickly forget the amorim goodwill and point to "that's what he shoulda done".
Such is football