Ruben Amorim’s introduction to the Old Trafford hot seat has been anything but smooth.
With five defeats in his first ten matches, the Portuguese manager faces mounting pressure, making his start the worst among all post-Ferguson managers at Manchester United. Despite his credentials and tactical acumen, the challenges of managing the Red Devils have proven as daunting as ever, continuing a pattern of struggles for those attempting to fill Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary shoes.
Amorim’s journey at Manchester United began with a glimmer of hope. Just 80 seconds into his debut match, Marcus Rashford scored to put the Red Devils ahead against Ipswich Town. Yet, the optimism quickly faded as United labored to a 1-1 draw, struggling to impose themselves against a newly promoted side. While Amorim’s tactical imprint was visible early on, his team’s lack of consistency and inability to capitalize on opportunities signaled deeper issues.
A resounding 4-0 victory over Everton in his first home Premier League game offered a brief respite. However, even in victory, signs of vulnerability were evident, with United narrowly edging past Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League just days earlier. Amorim himself foreshadowed the looming difficulties, cautioning after three unbeaten games: “The storm will come.”
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The storm arrived swiftly. United’s attacking struggles have been glaring, particularly in open play. According to UnderStat, since Amorim’s appointment, the team has generated a combined non-penalty expected goals (xG) of just 8.7, ranking a dismal 13th in the Premier League. While the defensive structure has improved, United’s vulnerability at set pieces has been catastrophic, conceding nine goals from dead-ball situations, including two directly from corners.
A disastrous December underscored these frailties. United suffered three consecutive Premier League defeats, capped by a humbling 2-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day. Matheus Cunha’s direct corner-kick goal epitomized United’s ineptitude in defending set pieces, leaving Amorim with few answers to his team’s ongoing woes.
Statistically, Amorim’s record is bleak. With five losses in ten games, his start is the poorest of any Manchester United manager since Walter Crickmer in 1932. Notably, even Erik ten Hag, who endured a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Brentford in his second game, managed a stronger opening run. Other predecessors like Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also fared better, despite facing their own challenges.
Van Gaal’s tenure began with a shocking 4-0 EFL Cup loss to MK Dons, but his overall record after ten matches (W3 D4 L3) still eclipses Amorim’s. Similarly, Mourinho, despite enduring three consecutive defeats, managed seven wins in his first ten games, a testament to his knack for grinding out results even under pressure. Solskjaer, meanwhile, enjoyed a dream start, winning nine of his first ten matches and scoring 25 goals in the process, sparking chants of “Ole’s at the wheel” across Old Trafford.
Amorim’s Struggles
Amorim’s struggles highlight the enormity of the task at hand. While the defensive organization has shown glimpses of improvement, the team’s inability to create and convert chances consistently has left fans frustrated. The reliance on Rashford early on, followed by his unexpected exile from the first-team squad, has further complicated matters.
The Boxing Day defeat to Wolves marked United’s fifth loss of the month, a statistic that underscores the scale of the crisis. Despite a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Manchester City earlier in December, the Red Devils’ overall form has been alarmingly erratic.
Looking ahead, Amorim faces a pivotal period as he seeks to stabilize his team and reverse their fortunes. With key fixtures looming, the Portuguese manager must find solutions to United’s attacking inefficiencies while addressing their defensive lapses at set pieces. His ability to adapt and rally his squad will be critical in determining whether he can turn the tide or become another name on the growing list of managers who have failed to restore Manchester United to their former glory.
Amorim’s difficult start serves as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in managing a club of United’s stature. As the latest caretaker of Ferguson’s legacy, the pressure to deliver immediate results is immense. However, with time and the right adjustments, Amorim still has an opportunity to prove his worth and carve out his own legacy at Old Trafford.
For now, though, the comparisons to his predecessors and the shadow of Ferguson’s success loom large, leaving Amorim with much work to do to win over fans and critics alike.