'He looks lost’ - Super Eagles icon Mikel Obi blasts out-of-ideas Man United coach Amorim

Super Eagles icon John Mikel Obi has strongly criticised Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, accusing the Portuguese coach of looking lost and out of ideas as pressure mounts at Old Trafford.

Mikel, speaking from his experience as a former Premier League star, emphasised the vital role a manager’s body language plays in motivating players and shaping a team’s performance.

Reflecting on Amorim’s recent behaviour during Manchester United’s shock defeat to Grimsby, where he notably refused to watch the penalty shootout, and his dejected posture during the win over Burnley, Mikel argued that such negative signals hurt the squad’s morale.

“Positive body language from a manager is massively important. If you have a manager on the touchline kicking every ball and water bottle, players want to go to war for him. That energy motivates you to give your all, win every tackle, chase every ball, be the first to every challenge,” Mikel explained on his podcast.

However, he warned that a manager who constantly shows frustration and disappointment causes that negativity to rub off on everyone.

“That’s exactly what Ruben Amorim is doing right now. He needs to change his body language immediately,” Mikel said.

He also criticised Amorim’s decision to avoid watching Bruno Fernandes’ crucial 95th-minute penalty, calling it “unbelievable” and questioning the manager’s leadership at such key moments.

“Even when his team scores, he doesn’t celebrate because he’s unhappy with how they’re playing,” Mikel added, pointing out that these are the players Amorim brought in and the tactics he insists on, such as playing three at the back, despite poor results.

Mikel painted a picture of a manager struggling for solutions and confidence: “He looks lost, out of ideas, out of his depth. He doesn’t know what to do next.”

Highlighting the intense scrutiny that comes with managing a club as prestigous as Manchester United, Mikel reminded Amorim that constant criticism is part of the job, something even legends like Alex Ferguson faced over 20 years.

“If you want to be Man United’s manager, you have to bottle all that pressure and come in every week with positive body language to motivate your team. These players are yours now, and you must find a way to win games.”

Mikel Obi’s remarks put the spotlight on the challenges Ruben Amorim faces at Old Trafford and the importance of leadership and attitude from the touchline in turning Manchester United’s fortunes around.