“What was he thinking, I can’t believe Amorim. This loss was a result of his stubbornness” – This is according to Rio Ferdinand as he slams Man United manager after their loss against Brentford.
“What Was He Thinking? I Can’t Believe Amorim!” — Rio Ferdinand Blasts Manchester United Boss After Brentford Defeat
Manchester United’s disappointing defeat at the hands of Brentford has sparked an avalanche of criticism, and at the forefront of it is club legend Rio Ferdinand. Speaking in the aftermath of the match, the former Red Devils captain did not hold back, describing the loss as “a direct result” of new manager Rúben Amorim’s stubbornness.
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United’s Frustrating Night
United went into the fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium under pressure to produce a convincing performance after a mixed run of results. Instead, they fell to a frustrating loss — one in which Brentford’s intensity and tactical discipline outmatched United’s approach from start to finish.
The defeat leaves United languishing mid-table and raises serious questions about whether Amorim’s early tenure can deliver the consistency fans crave.
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Ferdinand’s Scathing Analysis
On his popular Vibe with FIVE podcast, Ferdinand could hardly hide his frustration:
> “What was he thinking? I can’t believe Amorim tonight. This loss was a result of his stubbornness. Everyone could see what was going wrong, but he refused to change it,” the ex-defender said.
Ferdinand’s comments were aimed at Amorim’s tactical choices — particularly his insistence on starting the same midfield trio that had struggled in previous matches and deploying them in a system that left the defence exposed to Brentford’s quick counters.
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Tactical Stubbornness Under the Microscope
According to several pundits, Amorim’s high defensive line and rigid 3-4-3 shape left United vulnerable. Brentford exploited the spaces behind United’s wing-backs repeatedly, with the visitors slow to adjust. Even when trailing, Amorim delayed substitutions, a decision that Ferdinand and others labelled “naïve.”
“Sometimes you’ve got to swallow your pride and change the plan,” Ferdinand added. “At this level, you can’t gift opportunities to a side as organised as Brentford.”
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Fans Echo the Sentiment
Supporters online mirrored Ferdinand’s criticism. Social media platforms were flooded with posts questioning Amorim’s tactical decisions, with “#AmorimOut” trending briefly on X (formerly Twitter). One fan wrote, “It’s déjà vu. Wrong system, wrong time. Change it or lose more points.”
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Amorim’s Response
In his post-match press conference, Amorim defended his approach but admitted that his side “lacked balance” and “struggled to control transitions.” However, he stopped short of promising major changes ahead of the next fixture, instead saying the team “needs more time to adapt.”
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Looking Ahead
The loss to Brentford piles the pressure on Amorim. With crucial fixtures looming, including a showdown against a revitalised Tottenham side, he will be under intense scrutiny to show that he can adapt his tactics and selection to the realities of the Premier League.
For Ferdinand, it’s simple: flexibility is key. “You can’t be stubborn in this league,” he concluded. “If you don’t learn quickly, you don’t last long.”
