Ex-Man Utd striker's 'ruthless' verdict on Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ruben Amorim & why Paul Pogba should return

Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke has delivered a brutally honest verdict on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s start as co-owner, new head coach Ruben Amorim and his squad.

Fresh from the derby win over Manchester City confidence in the squad will be high yet Yorke has labelled performances under Amorim - who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag - as ‘lacklustre’ so far. He has also had his say on some of the key players that Amorim can rely on - and why former United midfielder Paul Pogba should return to Old Trafford.

Amorim, meanwhile, is eyeing his first piece of silverware as United head coach ahead of their trip to North London and will have to make at least one change from the side that defeated Man City at the weekend. Mason Mount is a certainty to miss the match after he suffered a setback in the derby victory, while Luke Shaw remains absent tonight following his latest injury issue.

Meanwhile, in club news today, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has increased his share in Manchester United after a further $100 million investment into the club. The 72-year-old initially paid £1.2 billion for a 27.7 per cent stake in his club at the start of the year and committed to an investment of a further $300m as part of the takeover deal. A filing on the US Securities and Exchange Commission has now confirmed his final $100m payment has been approved, which takes his stake in the club to 28.94 per cent.

Speaking to sportslens.com Yorke spoke in-depth about United’s recent form under Amorim, which two players the new boss can rely on plus his view on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s opening spell as co-owner.

Yorke: So far United have been lacklustre under new boss Amorim

Yorke said: “I know that it’s early into Amorim’s tenure, but the early performances have been lacklustre. I don’t think you can blame the coach for that, he has to give everyone a try and see who he likes. I would have liked to have seen more of United’s young players given an opportunity because young players bring a different kind of energy to a team.

“United are lacking energy when you watch them play. They have no energy, they don't seem to have pace going forward, they play one-dimensional kind of stuff.”

Yorke: Amad and Bruno Fernandes are the only two players Amorim can rely on

Yorke said: “I would think Amad would be one now. I think he will be the first one that stands out and the first name that Amorim can put on his team.

“He’s a player for the future and he’s a player to build around. Bruno Fernandes, he's still one of the better players, even though he huffs and puffs. He does his thing, but you can't ignore his quality. I think he can still give United something, but he’s just turned thirty, so you can’t build around him for the next five years. Amorim can’t hang his hat on Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund.

“I used to say that he could hang his hat on Rashford, but he can’t do that anymore. United are missing a brilliant central midfielder who can run a game for you and get you out of trouble when you’re under the kosh. I’m struggling to give you three names.

“There's a lot of dead wood in that place; I have to be honest with you. I don’t think there are three players that he can build around, I can only give you Amad and Fernandes.”

Yorke: A lot of people at the club are upset

Yorke said: “Sometimes in life, you have to be careful what you wish for. I don't know Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but we are all watching from the outside. I know a lot of people within that institution and there's a lot of unhappy people right now, I can tell you.

“It hasn't been the same since he’s gone in there, which is understandable with new ownership coming in and making changes. People don’t like change. People are used to the way things are, so the football club is not a happy place.

“You don't become that successful if you're not ruthless in some way or the other. He's making ruthless decisions right now, starting with Dan Ashworth. He didn’t see it working and he decided to act very quickly, which is what these guys do, instead of it manifesting into something worse. He acted within five months, so I credit him for that rather than thinking, give it another year.

“It's too late then. The Ashworth decision is not everybody's cup of tea because United paid huge compensation for him. They waited so long to get him, and then after five months, he’s out. I don’t know the ins and outs of it, but it doesn’t look good, and it doesn’t sound like they know what they’re doing. It casts doubts. I've kind of stayed away from it actually.

“I’ve just been watching it unfold because sometimes it's better than getting involved. Everybody has their opinion, and I don't really want to go down that road, I'd rather just say very little on the matter and see where Jim takes us because it's not been good.”

Yorke: Why Paul Pogba would instantly improve the midfield

Yorke said: “Paul Pogba is better than what we have, that's for sure. Whether the fans will welcome him back and make life easy for him, I don’t know, that could be the problem he faces.

“A fit Pogba, playing football the way he can play football, will definitely add value to the team. He's a sensational player; he's a really good talent. He offers that little bit of an x-factor by being there. He does things that no other players can do.

“I would think with the ban, being out of football he'll have a little bit of a point to prove. He doesn't drink, he obviously looks after himself, so you can take a punt on a two-year deal. I would review it. I certainly wouldn’t turn my nose up at it. I would really consider it. Why would you not? When you look at what we have in midfield, Pogba coming into that would instantly improve things.”