Former Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has claimed that public criticism from manager Ruben Amorim only made matters worse during the club's dismal campaign last season.
'That didn't help at all' - Eriksen's blunt assessment
In a candid interview with The Sunday Times, the Danish international, who now plays for Wolfsburg, did not hold back when discussing the impact of Amorim's headline-grabbing statements. The Portuguese coach took charge at Old Trafford in November last year, but oversaw a catastrophic slide that saw United finish 15th in the Premier League without a trophy.
Eriksen took particular issue with Amorim's declaration after a defeat to Brighton that his side was "the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United." The 33-year-old said the players were acutely aware that such remarks created yet another negative story during an already difficult period.
"That didn't help. Yeah, that didn't help at all," Eriksen stated. "I mean, that was not… I don't think that helped the players at all. Some stuff you can say inside and it's not too clever to say outside, to put extra pressure and put an extra label on the players who were already trying to do their best."
Amorim's honesty and a failed revolution
Eriksen, who made 35 appearances in his final season at United before his summer departure, acknowledged the manager's direct approach in private. He described Amorim, who arrived from Sporting CP, as "very, very, very honest" from the outset.
The midfielder explained that Amorim immediately tried to implement his own ideas and a specific style of play, which represented a significant shift for the squad. "He has to change a lot because the players were not used to that system," Eriksen noted. "Also, historically, United always liked a different system."
This tactical overhaul, combined with public negativity, seemingly contributed to a toxic atmosphere. Eriksen recalled the squad's weary reaction to the manager's media outbursts: "I think for us it was a bit of like, 'Oh, here we go again. Another headline.'"
Apologies and analysis from a legend
Amorim did later express regret for his inflammatory 'worst team' comment. Ahead of United's next match, he admitted, "I'm a young guy and sometimes I make a mistake... I get more nervous and go to the press conference really nervous and say things I shouldn't say."
However, the damage was arguably already done. The episode sparked debate about man-management. Club legend Gary Neville offered a nuanced view, sympathising with Amorim's passion but acknowledging the potential fallout.
"I can sympathise with him because emotion and passion is everything I want in a football club and manager," Neville said. "It is hurting so he wants to come out and speak his mind... What would it be like in your own business? If your boss says you are the worst group of people they have had... the employees would lose faith, confidence and belief."
Neville concluded that while the intent to send a wake-up call was understandable, the public nature of the criticism had a deeply damaging effect on the players Amorim needed to perform for him.
The statistics from Amorim's tenure make for grim reading: 61 games in charge, with 24 wins, 16 draws and 21 losses. Eriksen's revelations provide a telling insight into the internal struggles that contributed to one of the most disappointing seasons in the club's modern history.
