Man Utd coach questions Ruben Amorim's strategy that's impacting their next big stars

Former Manchester United stalwart Phil Jones has urged the Old Trafford hierarchy to offer more than just financial backing in the transfer market to manager Ruben Amorim. Jones, a £16.5million signing by Sir Alex Ferguson from Blackburn in 2011, enjoyed Premier League glory under the legendary Scot before witnessing the club's dramatic decline following Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

The ex-defender has been heartened by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's willingness to splash out over £200million this summer on new recruits Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens.

However, Jones insists that Amorim needs time to implement his strategies and believes an overhaul of United's renowned academy would aid the Portuguese's mission, particularly if the youth teams adopted the three-at-the-back system favoured by the first team.

After retiring in 2024, Jones spent two years coaching at Carrington and during an exclusive interview with Freebets.com, he questioned why the academy wasn't mirroring the senior side's tactics: "One of the questions I asked was why the youth and academy teams didn't play the same system that Amorim was bringing in at senior level.

"These kids need to learn how to play in different positions and in different systems to have a career in the game.

"Hopefully they do go on to have a career at Old Trafford, but if they are going to have any success in the game then they need to be adaptable.

"I think it's good for youngsters to play in different positions and systems. But there definitely has to be an alignment right through the academy so that it prepares players for the first team.

"If a player gets a call into the senior squad - which has happened for years and years at United - they have to be ready to play the system the manager employs. They have to have an understanding of it."

Jones added: "I think it's important that United don't shoot the gun too early with another manager. Last season was bad. But I've been buoyed by some of the performances I've seen in the Premier League this season.

"Five points from three games is something to build on. If Amorim can take four points from the games against (Manchester) City and Chelsea after the international break then suddenly it looks like he's on the right track.

"You cannot gloss over that performance in the Grimsby game in the Carabao Cup. United were terrible all over the pitch.

"What do you do? Keep swapping the manger and then give someone else £200million to spend? United have got to back Amorim. He's a young manger with fresh ideas and I think he will get it right.

"Every time a manager was sacked after Sir Alex left, the club would brief that we were in transition. But United have probably been in a constant transition for 10 years now.

"They wanted Amorim because he plays a different system and a different way to how United traditionally play. He's not going to change - and nor should he change."

Amorim, 40, is a passionate boss who displays his emotions openly.

Jones has been taken aback by how candid he has been when evaluating the calibre of players in his squad - but has encouraged him to maintain that approach.

He said: "I remember playing against Ruben in the Champions League when he played for Braga. What I like about him is that he's authentic - and authenticity in this game is a massively positive characteristic in my opinion.

"I don't think you should try to be cool and calm when you're not, just like you shouldn't turn on the anger if that's not you either.

"I don't think Amorim should change. Obviously there are times when he wants to avoid saying certain things, but ultimately he has to be his own person."