Paul Scholes has raised concerns about the way United warm up before games (Image: GETTY)
Paul Scholes has raised concerns over ‘s pre-match warm-ups, admitting that he would struggle to cope with one of ‘s coaching methods.
The Red Devils have failed to kick on under their Portuguese manager since he replaced in the dugout in November. They slipped to their 11th league defeat of the season last weekend, losing to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
Scholes has revealed that he is worried by what United’s players are being asked to do before games, having noticed the emphasis on team shape in the minutes before kick-off.
United’s players have been working on their shape in the minutes before kick-off (Image: GETTY)
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Speaking on , brought to you by Sky Bet, he said: “When I was playing, I wanted to play with more freedom. I watch football all the time, but I don’t analyse the game as much anymore.
“Nowadays, with football being so tactical, I feel like the life has been sucked out of the players. I’ve been watching the last few weeks, specifically how they’ve been warming up before matches.
“I’ve noticed that they’re practicing the team shape. They’ve got the back five defending the goal, with crosses coming into the box for the forwards to attack and they’ve even started practicing set-pieces in front of the fans, which just seems odd to me.
“The warm-up is there to enjoy, having the ball at your feet, practicing your touch, but everything is focused on tactics and I’m not sure I’d be able to deal with it, if I was playing.”
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Amorim is yet to settle on his preferred starting line-up and raised eyebrows against Palace when he named Kobbie Mainoo as the lone striker.
The gamble failed to pay off, with the Red Devils struggling to create chances before they were undone by a Jean-Philippe Mateta brace in the second half.
Amorim appears to be trying different things in a bid to get United firing on all cylinders. Scholes is not too concerned about tactical tweaks, though, explaining that he would rather see his former club adopt a braver approach.
“Trying to work out the tactical element of football matches doesn’t fascinate me,” he added.
“I want to see good bits of play, defenders firing the ball into the midfield, a winger taking on their full-back. I’m not looking at the tactics, but maybe I should be.”