Ruben Amorim is the core issue for MU

MU has a new solution for MU, yet they still haven't tasted victory as old problems persist. Contrary to the relative optimism after the round 1 loss to Arsenal, the timid performance in the 1-1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage raises many questions for coach Ruben Amorim.

Amorim talks a lot but results remain the same

After a trophyless 2024/25 season, MU spent over £200 million to strengthen their attack. However, against Fulham, MU’s star players left much to be desired. Optimists might say things could still improve, but overall, there are too many issues that Amorim seemed able to fix this summer and after the Arsenal defeat, yet nothing changed.

Talking about the attack, newcomer Cunha had the clearest chances to score for MU with two clear opportunities in the first half at Craven Cottage, but one shot hit the post and another was saved by goalkeeper Bernd Leno. After that, there was little else. Mbeumo chased many hopeless balls as the link-up between him and Amad Diallo was nearly non-existent. Forward Benjamin Sesko held up play well when he came on in the second half, but that was about it. Financially, this trio was bought to score goals for the club but have disappointed in the last two matches. We cannot deny their contributions, but it’s still far from enough.

So what is the cause? Everyone, including coach Ruben Amorim himself. Let's start with the goalkeeper. In the Arsenal match, Altay Bayindir made a mistake that cost the team the game. Yet, Amorim kept him as the starter instead of using Andre Onana, the first-choice keeper who had recovered from injury. Against Fulham, Bayindir was no better. Standing over 1.9m tall, his handling of aerial balls is a major weakness. Every time the ball was crossed in from the corner, he appeared clumsy, and if Fulham had been as effective with set pieces as Arsenal, MU would have been in serious trouble. With Andre Onana, things might have been safer for MU. Amorim’s decision, especially after MU hesitated to sign Emi Martinez (Aston Villa) and nearly failed to acquire Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG), makes Amorim seem "lost" in his own plans and personnel needs he proposed to the board.

Clearly, MU’s defenders have lost confidence with Bayindir behind them. They are fearful, hesitant, and lack confidence in their own play. Worse, this seems like a "contagious" problem for the entire team after the two Premier League matches and prior games. An unstable goalkeeper drags the whole team down, and the midfield—which Ruben Amorim wanted to overhaul—has not been addressed. Facing Arsenal and Fulham, MU’s board must realize that without investing in this area, the team should not even dream of a top 10 finish, let alone a Champions League spot next season. Fernandes can run and create but is weak defensively. When given a chance, he wasted it by missing a penalty. The usual pressure is already high, now Fernandes must also cover for Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte (who came on as a substitute) who either can’t run effectively or can’t pass well. Meanwhile, Mainoo—the most promising young talent at MU—is "benched" by Amorim. It’s strange that Amorim keeps "forgetting" this despite the midfield’s clear deficiencies.

Mason Mount is talented but neither a central midfielder nor a striker. Yet Amorim places him in the attack to ease Fernandes’ burden. This setup ruins both midfield and forward lines. Nearly a year into Amorim’s tenure at MU, he still hasn’t found a way to maximize his best player. If MU is said to be in a repair phase, Amorim is not a skilled "architect." He talks more than he acts.

How bad has MU become?

According to Opta statistics, including the draw against Fulham, MU under Amorim has dropped points in 22 out of 29 Premier League games. His Premier League win rate stands at only 24.1% (7 wins in 29 matches), equal to Neil Warnock, who was relegated twice in the Premier League (27 wins in 112 matches).

Across all competitions, MU under Amorim has won 16, drawn 11, and lost 17 out of 44 games, with a win rate of 36.3%. This is the lowest win percentage in Amorim’s managerial career so far. In this Premier League season, after two consecutive non-wins, MU has dropped to 16th place on the table, 5 points behind leaders Arsenal (1 compared to Arsenal’s 6 points).

According to the schedule, after a disappointing start, the Red Devils will face fourth-tier Grimsby Town away in the Carabao Cup on August 28. This is a match Amorim and MU’s stars must win at all costs. There are two reasons for this: first, they need a strong morale boost to get through this difficult phase; second, since MU is only competing domestically, if they cannot beat a minor club like Grimsby, then Portuguese coach Amorim should seriously consider his own position.

After the Carabao Cup match, MU will enter a crucial three-game stretch in the Premier League. On August 30, they face Burnley in round 3. Then, the domestic leagues pause for international breaks. When the Premier League resumes, MU will face two major rivals: Man City (September 14) and Chelsea (September 20). These matches will significantly impact MU’s season and Amorim’s future.

Related Articles

MU struggles, Amorim lists his 'dream' three signings The 2025 summer transfer window is nearing its end, and Manchester United still hasn’t completed plans to upgrade their midfield. See more