Is Amorim going to collapse? Casemiro s physical fitness is declining, Sheshko is injured, and the three players will go to the African Cup of Nations

Manchester United's winter has never been as embarrassing as this year. Sheshko is still recovering from his injury. Mbemo, Amad, and Mazraoui will go to the African Cup. Three key corridors in the midfield and frontcourt are instantly lost. Casemiro's decline in physical fitness has become more obvious, and the coverage on the field has continued to shrink, becoming a breakthrough for opponents to focus on. The 343 system created by Amorim since taking office has encountered a real structural crisis for the first time. As the winter window approaches, Manchester United, still on the verge of competing for the top four, can no longer wait.

Sheshko's injury and retirement is only the trigger, not the essence of Manchester United's problem. What really makes Amorim anxious is that the three African Cup of Nations players left the team at the same time. The impact of the right wing dropped sharply, the frontcourt pressing system was cut off, and the offensive and defensive balance of the wing backs was completely disrupted. Manchester United's ability to remain competitive this season relies heavily on Mbemo's burst, Amad's line support and Mazrawi's up and down play. The absence of three people at the same time is equivalent to removing the entire right spine.

At the same time, the midfield problem gradually became apparent. Casemiro's experience is still priceless, but the decline caused by age and physical fitness cannot be reversed. As long as the Brazilian midfielder cannot cover the defensive midfielder area, Manchester United's center will continue to be exposed to the opponent's pressure. It still takes time for Ugarte to adapt to the speed of the Premier League, and it is difficult for Menu to assume the responsibility of stability. What Amorim needs is a "core of the system" who can run, grab, and move forward, and this is the first goal that must be achieved in the winter window.

Therefore, the winter window is by no means a patch for Manchester United, but a necessary surgery. The front line must look for a "short-term plug-and-play" forward who can be used immediately to make up for the Africa Cup of strength gap; the midfielder must add at least one defensive midfielder with strong confrontation and strong coverage, even if it needs to be carefully selected within a limited budget; the wing-back position also needs reinforcements to stabilize the width and resilience of 343 in the transition between offense and defense.

When Amorim arrived at Old Trafford, he brought not only tactical innovations, but also a clear path to reconstruction. Now, the winter window will become his most important test since coaching: Should he continue to make passive adjustments, or actively shape his ideal lineup? Manchester United's competitiveness will not passively wait for recovery, but must be rebuilt through proactive error correction.

The bell of the winter window is getting closer and closer, and every move of Manchester United may determine the final fate of this season. How will Amorim be strengthened? The answer is being written at a faster pace.

(Shopkeeper Luo)