Jamie Carragher names how Ruben Amorim is 'the first manager' of his kind in Premier League: Man United boss's negative tactics pulled apart by pundit who 'doesn't understand' his rigid plans

Jamie Carragher has placed the majority of the blame for Manchester United's limp defeat against Everton at the feet of Ruben Amorim , rather than his under-performing players, as the Liverpool icon pointed out the inherent negativity in his game plan at Old Trafford.

The hosts appeared to have been handed a boost from out of nowhere early on in the first-half when the Toffees went down to 10 men due a straight red card handed to Idrissa Gueye for fighting his own team-mate Michael Keane .

But where Man United could have overwhelmed the visitors for the lion's share of the match, it was Everton who sneaked the opening goal, via a impressive mid-range strike from summer recruit Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The former Chelsea midfielder's effort turned out to be the decider in the contest as Man United struggled to break down Everton's hardy resolve, in part thanks to a number of superlative saves from Jordan Pickford .

But after the final whistle, Carragher noted how Amorim's rigidity had contributed to the feeling that Man United were some way off the break through.

'Ruben Amorim feels like the first manager who I've seen who sticks with a system rather than an idea of how to play,' Carragher said on Monday Night Football, where he shared the stage with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez. 'Using you, Roberto, as a reference, I always know how your times will play, with the ball - that's your idea.

Ruben Amorim was called out by Jamie Carragher for his dogged commitment to his formation

The manager's Manchester United side were beaten at home by a 10-man travelling Everton

'The formation might change but, Ruben Amorim, the formation is his baby.

'And to not change it or alter it in situations like that, I don't understand how you can stick with something so steadfastly, when it's basically one guy up front, who's not really up front.

'You don't need three players there,' Carragher explained, of Amorim's favoured 3-4-3 set-up. 'Maybe you put midfield players there?

'We see managers do that, take a centre back off and bring a midfield player in, because you're going to have so much more of the ball, so much more of possession.'

Amorim's feverish devotion to his preferred formation has been a point of contention at a number of different moments since his arrival at Old Trafford last November.

At the time, Amorim inherited a squad from former manager Erik ten Hag which was less than well-suited to the shape, but the new head coach had no interested in altering his philosophy.

After stuttering to a 15th-place finish in last year's Premier League campaign, Amorim had the opportunity to rebuild his ranks and work on his ideas over pre-season - but Man United continued to struggle at the start of the 2025-26 season too.

In September, Amorim sensationally invited the Man United hierarchy to sack him, as he had no intention of changing his plan .

The hosts were handed an unexpected gift when Idrissa Gueye was sent off for fighting with his own team-mate

Carragher argued that Amorim failed to capitalise on the situation and was worthy of blame

Man United squandered an opportunity to move into the top four amid a mixed campaign

‘I am not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man,' Amorim said after a demoralising 3-0 defeat to crosstown rivals Man City.

‘Losing faith in your ability to turn the situation around? No, that is not the way. I believe in my way and I am going to play my way until I want to change.'

Results at Old Trafford have been somewhat more promising as autumn has progressed, but defeat at home to David Moyes' side represents a significant set-back for Amorim and Co.

'I actually think it's not the losing the three points tonight - they can make that up through the season - but it's one of those moments where a lot of people will question the manager after this defeat,' Carragher added.

'They'll look at the players, and we know the players should do better, but the manager will take a lot of the blame tonight.'

Amorim admitted that he was personally troubled with the results , saying: 'I feel afraid of returning to this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern.

'We need to work together. We are going to work together. The players are trying but we need to be better. We have training tomorrow and we are going to prepare the next one.

'The way we see the results of the weekend, we should get inside the pitch with a different excitement. That is my feeling.

'It doesn't matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling, and Old Trafford was there saying we are all here to give you a big step up and I felt that we were not ready.

'Again, these five weeks everyone is praising our evolution. I'm always saying the same things. We are not even near at the moment where we're supposed to be in this club.'