When Ruben Amorim arrived at Manchester United, he was seen as the one of the exciting new coaches in Europe having been showered with plaudits for his work in Portugal. Sporting had won their first 11 Primeira Liga matches and were unbeaten in the Champions League group stage having just completed a 4-1 demolition job of Manchester City. Amorim’s team possessed everything Ten Hag’s United seemed to lack: free-flowing football, organisation, and a clear identity. Yet his time at Old Trafford has since proven a disastrous experiment.
Amorim urged fans to be patient while the squad adapted to his system, as they endured a turbulent first season with him in charge. With the summer arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško, it seemed that patience was about to be rewarded. Supporters were promised a fast, powerful frontline blending young talent with proven Premier League experience. Add that to Bruno Fernandes, one of the league’s top creators, and Kobbie Mainoo, one of England’s brightest prospects, and United looked well set. Then again you’d expect a squad to have talent like this when you spend the best part of £800M in five seasons.
Fast forward to this season, and that pre-season expectation is fading fast. Last weekend’s defeat to Brentford sees United languishing in 14th. With just seven points from six games, Amorim appears to be carrying on where he left off. Since his appointment last November, he has overseen nearly a full Premier League season: 33 games, only 34 points, and a win rate of just 27%. That is relegation form!
Even more damning for Amorim, his system demands players take on roles they simply cannot execute. It’s round pegs in square holes: Bruno Fernandes stuck in central midfield, Matthijs de Ligt forced into a wide centre-back role with little ability to carry the ball forward, and Mason Mount thrown on against Brentford in the ten —only to end up at left wing-back five minutes later with United chasing goals.
It is time for Manchester United to cut their losses and move on before this season becomes null and void. There is enough quality in their squad to believe they can wrestle themselves back into contention for a European spot, but the clock is ticking.