Ferdinand slams Amorim's back-line changes after United edge Chelsea

Rio Ferdinand has criticised Ruben Amorim for in-game changes to Manchester United's defensive line, saying he would have hated such chopping and changing as a player. The remarks followed United's 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday, a match that nearly slipped away after late pressure from the visitors and Trevoh Chalobah's 80th-minute strike.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off in the fifth minute for a rash challenge on Bryan Mbeumo, and United took control through Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. The momentum swung late in the first half when Casemiro was shown a red card, reducing United to 10 men. In the closing stages Amorim altered his back line, bringing on Leny Yoro for Harry Maguire in the 70th minute. Maguire had been part of a set-piece threat and had earlier provided the assist for Casemiro's goal, making his substitution particularly noticeable to observers who questioned whether his presence might have prevented Chalobah's late strike.

"I look at teams that win," Ferdinand said. "Whether it’s my team, whether it’s the old Arsenal teams with Tony Adams, Martin Keown or Sol Campbell etcetera. Or John Terry and (Ricardo) Carvalho, William Gallas. Now (Virgil) van Dijk and (Ibrahima) Konate. The same centre-halves play every week. There’s a consistency with team selection with that pairing at the back. The consistency of players in that area of the pitch gives you a better chance to win and this (Ruben Amorim’s) chopping and changing, I find it wild. I wouldn’t like it if I played."

Maguire, one of United's more capable players at set pieces in both attack and defence, was off the pitch by the time Chalobah struck, though some may wonder if his presence might have prevented the goal. The England defender had previously been involved in the buildup, including a headed assist to Casemiro's opener, and his substitution drew questions about Manchester United's strategic choices in the closing stages.

Amorim has used at least one centre-back substitution in five of United's six matches across all competitions this season. The only exception came in last month’s 3-2 win over Burnley, when Noussair Mazraoui came on for Yoro late on to operate as a third central defender before Bruno Fernandes' stoppage-time winner.