Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says his struggling team need more "crazy guys" to help them get back on track. The Red Devils have suffered an underwhelming start to the new Premier League campaign and currently sit down in 14th place in the table despite a summer that saw Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo arrive at Old Trafford.
Man Utd's struggles continue under Amorim
After finishing in 15th place last season, Manchester United fans were hoping for better from their team in the new campaign. A busy summer saw a flurry of new signings and optimism rise among the Old Trafford faithful. However, Amorim's team has continued to struggle, managing just seven points from their opening six league games. United also suffered an embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to minnows Grimsby Town in a dramatic penalty shoot-out that finished 12-11 to the League Two side. The results have drawn plenty of criticism and calls for Amorim to be sacked after less than a year in charge. Club legend Wayne Rooney has claimed Amorim "bluffed his way into the job", while pundit Jamie Carragher has called his tenure a "disaster" and feels his departure is inevitable.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportAmorim wants 'crazy players' at Man Utd
Manchester United's dismal form has piled pressure on Amorim and his tactical inflexibility has been question. Amorim has insisted he will not change his 3-4-3 formation and has instead called on his players to step up and show character during these difficult times.
The United boss told former Red Devil Owen Hargreaves in an interview with what he feels his team is lacking currently: "We have a lot of players that they were here for many years and we are struggling so that is always in your mind. It's not just the leaders, we need leaders, but sometimes what I'm thinking is we miss some crazy guys, you know?"
Amorim looks to Cunha and Mbeumo for inspiration
Amorim added that new signing Cunha is one player who can help inspire United: "The guys, I think Cunha is a little bit like that. He's a guy that is a good guy but he doesn't care who you are. He can play wherever and he will go with the ball. This kind of feeling, we need that. Harry Maguire was captain, he played national team, but you can feel it sometimes that when things are going wrong we go down. No matter if it's Bruno or Harry, and that is in the past, so we need to live in the future.
The United boss also feels Mbeumo can have a similar impact following his move from Brentford. He explained: "Sometimes you look at the pitch, something is going really wrong, and you see Bryan with a different light, because he came from a different environment. Then you look at Cunha and you feel that sometimes he is frustrated but you can feel the frustration is something like – give me the ball – so we miss that. We need to forget the past, we need sometimes that crazy guy. The world can be on fire, but I don't care. Sometimes it's not just the leaders, it's the maverick guys."
Man Utd's aims for the season outlined by Amorim
Manchester United have still not managed to string consecutive wins together in the Premier League under Amorim but the Portuguese is confident he can get his team up the table. The former Sporting boss was asked about the club's targets and wants to be back playing European football next season.
"I think we need to return to Europe. the funny thing is, and it's hard for our fans to understand this, I don't know what is going to happen," he said. "We are going to play better, that is my feeling, and I think every day if you see the games you feel we can win the games.