Ruben Amorim told to drop two Man Utd flops for crunch Liverpool clash - The Mirror

Kop legend Mark Lawrenson has urged the Manchester United boss to ring the changes for the trip to Anfield and adapt his game plan

Mark Lawrenson has told Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim to ditch his playing style and focus on getting results.

The Portuguese coach has endured a nightmare start to life at Old Trafford, suffering five defeats in his last six Premier League games to leave them looking worryingly over their shoulder. Amorim has persisted with his favoured 3-4-3 formation that brought him so much success at Sporting, but has admitted it is not working with his current crop of United flops.

The 39-year-old boss insists he will not ditch his playing style, but Lawrenson has warned he needs to start turning the tide and fast. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash with title favourites Liverpool, the Kop legend said: “It’s not about identity for Ruben Amorim – it's all about results.

“The problem they’ve had is that they have a big squad, and he’s given time to nearly all the players that he’s got. He probably thinks they have a strong squad in numbers but not in quality. That’s his problem, and for quite a few of the players, it’s too much – they don’t look good enough to play at that level.

“They’re obviously going to stick with Amorim, but everyone has played – he's trying to get it right, but apart from three or four, the rest haven’t even been average. The younger players have been good, but it’s time to ship the older players out.”

United travel to Anfield a massive 23 points behind their rivals after winning just six games all season. They suffered a third successive home defeat at the hands of Newcastle last time out, and Lawrenson has urged Amorim to ring the changes.

“Ruben Amorim can’t have Casemiro and Christian Eriksen playing against Liverpool – they just don’t have it anymore” he said. “Liverpool will run rampant and run through them. Kobbie Mainoo has to play – he has legs. Newcastle just walked through United – they are a decent team, but it was embarrassing for United.

“The owners must be pulling their hair out at the moment – the signings that they thought were a good buy might actually be ‘goodbye!’”

Liverpool go into the game as hot favourites to tighten their grip on top spot, but United did stun champions Manchester City at the Etihad just three weeks ago.

Lawrenson added: “United are just all over the place. What’s left to say about them? I think back to when they were struggling last year and they went to Anfield and got a 0-0. They’re even worse at the moment so I fancy Liverpool to win it, it just might be a bit of a grind rather than a rout.”

Mark Lawrenson was speaking on behalf of Paddy Power.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.