Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has expressed concerns about the club’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, suggesting that he could face a similar fate to his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, if the team’s struggles persist.

Currently languishing in 13th place on the Premier League table, Manchester United have endured a difficult season. Ten Hag was dismissed earlier in the campaign following four losses in the first nine league games, with Amorim brought in to steady the ship. However, the Portuguese tactician has faced an uphill battle, managing only four wins in nine games across all competitions since his arrival.

Speaking to SportLens, Stam analyzed the reasons behind United’s poor form, drawing parallels between Amorim’s early challenges and Ten Hag’s struggles. “We could see what Erik ten Hag was trying to do at Manchester United and how he wanted to play, from his time at Ajax, but the players struggled,” Stam explained.

“That is down to both the manager and the players—whether they can execute the game plan that they are taught when it comes to matches. That’s the same big question now with Amorim as it was with Ten Hag: can the players adapt and dominate games in his three-at-the-back system? At the moment, it’s still not very dominant in how they play within the new system, despite there being a few wins, which was similar for Ten Hag during his start at the club,” he added.

Opinion: A Time for Patience or Urgent Change?

Jaap Stam’s comments highlight a recurring theme at Manchester United: the difficulty of implementing a consistent playing style amid a turbulent environment. The comparison between Amorim and Ten Hag is apt, as both managers arrived with clear tactical philosophies that require time, effort, and full squad buy-in to be effective.

However, time is a luxury not often afforded to managers at Old Trafford, where expectations for success are sky-high. While Amorim’s switch to a three-at-the-back formation is an ambitious attempt to shake things up, the players’ inability to adapt quickly raises questions about the squad’s tactical flexibility and mental resilience.

Stam’s remarks also underscore a deeper issue: Manchester United’s recruitment strategy and player development. Regardless of the manager, the squad has struggled to exhibit the dominance and fluidity expected of a club of United’s stature. The burden, therefore, does not rest solely on Amorim’s shoulders but also on the players’ willingness to embrace his vision and the board’s commitment to providing the necessary support.

As fans watch the season unfold, patience will be key—though it is a virtue often in short supply at a club with such rich history. Amorim’s system, much like Ten Hag’s, could yield success if given the time to evolve. However, with the Red Devils currently far from challenging for silverware or even a top-four finish, the question remains: how long can United afford to wait?

The pressure is mounting, and Amorim’s ability to navigate this storm will determine whether he carves out a new chapter of success at Old Trafford or becomes another name on the list of managers who couldn’t crack the United code.