Ruben Amorim told he made 'massive mistake' that can 'never happen again' at Manchester United

01/03/2025 10:54 AM

John Obi Mikel has taken aim at Ruben Amorim’s decision to play both Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in midfield against Newcastle, branding it a ‘massive, massive mistake’ that can ‘never happen again’.

Eriksen and Casemiro, both aged 32, were completely overrun in the middle of the park as Newcastle consigned the Red Devils to a fourth defeat in as many games on Monday.

Joshua Zirkzee was sacrificed for Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes at Old Trafford but by this stage it was too late, with Alexander Isak and Joelinton’s early headers securing the Magpies all three points.

The result leaves United languishing down in 14th place ahead of their trip to top-of-the-table Liverpool this weekend.

It represents United’s worst run since as far back as 1930 – when the club dropped down into the second tier of English football – and Amorim admitted it was embarrassing to be asked about a potential relegation scrap at his post-match press conference.

‘There’s no way, and I hope this never happens again, that you see Casemiro and Eriksen play in the midfield for Manchester United,’ former Chelsea midfielder Obi Mikel said on the Obi One Podcast.

‘Who is going to run for who? If you’re a 30-something years old midfield player, or a player, you need a younger player beside you who can compensate because you don’t have the legs to run anymore.

‘You need a young player, fresh legs, energetic, who is going to be able to cover that ground for you.

‘When you have those two, who is going to help who? Who is going to run for who?

‘So for me, it’s a massive, massive mistake, it’s awful to watch.’

Obi Mikel – who made a controversial move to Chelsea after being unveiled by United in 2006 – believes Casemiro will continue to ‘get found out’ unless he is given greater protection in midfield.

‘Listen, brilliant players have talked about it. We’ve all said it: Casemiro is a fantastic player, he’s played for Real Madrid, he’s won so much, he’s been an absolutely fantastic servant for football, he done everything,’ he added.

‘But when your legs are gone, your legs are gone. There’s nothing else you can do, especially in the Premier League. You will get found out.’

Obi Mikel’s remarks echo those made by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who said: ‘The last thing you want in your thirties is another player alongside you in his thirties.

‘I didn’t want a 33-year-old right winger in front of me.

‘I wanted someone energetic to compensate for things I didn’t have anymore.’

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