Amorim has yet to record a back-to-back victory since taking over last November, but in 33 Premier League matches, United won nine wins, retaining five clean sheets and scoring just 34 points.
Hargreaves has worked on a lot in Amorim’s struggle at Old Trafford, including a rating for the 3-4-3 formation that has become known for the Portuguese coach.
“In the end, it’s the manager,” Hargreaves told TNT Sports. “He chooses how they want to play and he wants to play that way, and people behave like it’s a new formation.
“I played in the Champions League with Bayern in 2001, a lot of that is dependent on people. He has a lot of staff, but Bruno Fernandez probably doesn’t play his natural position. He plays deeper.
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“He had to wait that long” – Fernandez misses the penalty after a long delay
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“I think everyone thought it would be better this year with (Mashus) Cunya and (Brian) Mbemo, but they’re getting better, but the problem is that there’s still a problem with the top of the striker’s pitch. You still have a goalkeeping situation.
“And they’re way too easy to play against. You thought they’d score goals by bringing in Mbeumo and cunha. There were 40 people in the Premier League last year.
“Defensively, I don’t think they’ve (improved), I see Liverpool and Arsenal and I know who’ll play in the back.
“Ruben has revolved it three times so there is no calm partnership and I think they can settle for the Keeper.
“Mbeumo can release Fernandez.”
Fernandez has occasionally cut down on frustrating figures this season, missing two of the three penalties.
The Portuguese were rejected from 12 yards during a 3-1 defeat against Brentford on Saturday. That means he has missed six penalties since he arrived at Old Trafford.
In Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, United captains must play a deeper role than they previously operated for the club and country. And Hargreaves has sympathy for the player and believes his strengths are not being used at the moment.
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Amorim reveals his goals for the season, but admits that he “don’t know what’s going to happen.”
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“He doesn’t play a natural position. He plays deeper. He plays as a box-to-box midfielder. Bruno is one of the best creators in the division.
“But they play two 10s, so the two best players from Man UTD last season were Amad (Diallo) and Bruno. They were two 10Ss. And they signed two more 10Ss with Cunha and Mbeumo when there were no keepers or strikers.
“So they could have done that, but they decided to score goals with my favourite Cunha and Mbeumo and sign a proven Premier League player.
“So, he’s not in his game, so he’s not in the right defensive position, so it’s the manager who picks it. But Bruno wants to play No. 10, Mbeumo as No. 9.
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“Abysmal”, “Insipid” – Cole Slams Man UTD Brentford’s defeat
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“Maybe if you want to stay in the formation, you might play Amado as the back of the left wing. I think that’s tough on Bruno, he’s been criticized. I can’t imagine where they’re going without him.
“What he was able to create from their consistency perspective is what you need from everyone.”
Hargreaves: Culture is built around leaders
Hargreaves knows everything about Old United, a time when it was impossible to negotiate a trophy and that culture was planted in all those walking through Carrington’s doors.
Currently, Hargreaves is a very different club from the one who left, and he believes that changing expectations while maintaining high standards really remains a challenge.
“I think Reuben tried to create that culture change with a lot of players who left,” Hargreaves said.
“He was pretty clear about what he asked for from the players. I don’t think we can say they haven’t tried, but the problem is that they’re behind the top team and they spent a lot of money.
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Highlights: Brentford puts more pressure on Man UTD after an incident-packed collision
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Looking back on Cole’s own experience at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, Hargreaves added:
“So we had a mentor there so it was easy for us to come to the team. For now, the United team is, if you’re under pressure and the team isn’t working well, I think it’s the only one you can go to Bruno and Harry Maguire, and Harry doesn’t play all the time.
“So I think that generation was a big gap after all that remains and I think they bought a lot of players and sold, but they don’t actually buy someone like (Virgil) Van Dik or Allison who can hang your hat when it gets tough.
“So I think we can help some of these young people so much that they can deal with it quickly.”
