Harry Maguire has named the biggest problem at Man United, it’s not Ruben Amorim

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Harry Maguire has revealed what he believes to be Manchester United’s biggest problem this season.

Ruben Amorim is under immense pressure at Old Trafford as the 3-0 loss against Manchester City last time out meant the boss has won only one of his opening five matches across all competitions.

The Red Devils suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby Town and appear to be facing the same problems that befell the side last season in the Premier League.

Even at this early stage of the season, Rio Ferdinand has urged United supporters to calm down as calls to sack the manager have already been issued in Manchester.

However, Maguire has said that there is a wider problem at Old Trafford at this moment in time, and it extends beyond the issues with the manager.

Harry Maguire believes the players are the problem at Man United

In an interview with Sky Sports, the former Manchester United captain said that the criticism of Amorim’s tactics is a lazy argument and the players must take more responsibility.

“The formation has been fine. Like I said, box to box we’ve been pretty comfortable in every game, and tactically we’ve been comfortable in every game. It’s got to be down to the players. The players have got to take the moments. They’ve got to make the difference in those moments, whether it’s a set play or whether it’s in a transition or a counterattack. A three v three and you’ve got to make the correct decision.

“I think this season, the first four games we just haven’t done their moments well enough, and like I said, we haven’t defended our box well enough in the big moments, and every time the opposing team seems to come near the box, it ends up in the back of the net, which is something that we need to work on.

“But I think the formation is just an easy one, just to dig out because we’ve not been winning football matches, and, I think it’s a little bit different to how everyone else is playing. But the formation is the formation. It’s not a set formation. Everyone says three, five. We play a four a lot of the time in the game.

“I mean, if you stop and start the game and the phases of play, we’re a back four in a lot of the game. And we always have been since the manager’s come in. So, I think it is an easy one just to say and dig out, but it’s down to the players to execute, and if you’re a good player, you can play in any formation.”

Amorim’s tactical setup and formation have been the main talking point when discussing his woes at Old Trafford, with Micah Richards warning United won’t improve until the boss alters his system.

The Red Devils are certainly in a transitional phase, having spent approximately £218 million on new talent this summer, and the new-look front line in particular will require time to adapt to the demands of playing for United.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney was shocked by United fans during the Manchester derby and admitted he cannot envision Amorim remaining at Old Trafford much longer after seeing supporters flood out of the Etihad.

Rooney backed United to qualify for the Champions League heading into the season, and after just four league matches, it appears the positive mentality has already dissipated among the Man United support.

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Remarkably, out of the four goals United have scored in the Premier League thus far this season, two of those have been own goals, with Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes scoring the others.

Indeed, Matheus Cunha has been nursing a minor injury setback, but Amorim revealed the Brazilian is in line to feature in the upcoming clash against Chelsea, and it is time for the £62.5m man to start contributing.

Outside of goal involvements, Cunha and Mbeumo have certainly shown improvements over the previous attacking options at Old Trafford, but with the pressure already building, it is now time for the pair to click.

Benjamin Sesko is also yet to open his Man United account, and with only one goal scored among over £200m worth of talent, the trio will undoubtedly soon become the scapegoats if the side’s torrid form continues.