Manchester United were poor at Craven Cottage, struggling to a 1-1 draw with Fulham which sees frustrations growing.
After a week of confidence and optimism after Manchester United played Arsenal off the park, it was a crash back to reality against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
United only managed to draw 1-1 with Fulham, with much of the second half being very poor in regards to attacking output.
Despite the draw being a huge let down, United had several good performers, which makes the failure to score even more frustrating.
Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes should have had the game beyond doubt in the first-half, but once again a failure to take chances has cost Amorim.
However, this time, Amorim really has no excuse as the failure to win was ultimately due to his own decisions.
Ruben Amorim gives instructions to Manchester United players Bryan Mbeumo and Casemiro.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim setting Manchester United up to fail without a striker
Over the past few weeks, common take-aways from Manchester United’s attacking play is that the failure to start a number nine is proving costly, yet once again the line-up saw Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo leading the line.
Amorim set his team up for failure with this decision, on the back foot, with long balls and crosses pointless.
More United News
Cunha or Mbeumo were asked to miraculously control 60-yard balls while challenged by defenders much bigger than them to make something of these balls.
It was a mistake which can’t happen again, no matter how valuable Mason Mount is, a striker must start.
Ignoring Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench
So having made one mistake before a ball had even been kicked, Amorim’s next mistake came in-game.
With a bench stacked with players who can make a difference on the ball, it is baffling that both Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee remained on the bench for the entire game for a second week running.
Kobbie Mainoo sat on Manchester United bench at Craven Cottage.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Mainoo in particular must be very confused about where he fits into this United side, with Amorim making it clear he is Fernandes’ replacement.
However, on a day when the Portuguese star had a bad game, surely Amorim should have turned to Mainoo.
It is a bad look for the head coach to ignore such talented footballers when chasing the game.
Persisting with three centre-backs when chasing a win
Instead of using Mainoo or Zirkzee to try and offer an attacking spark to a team which was in second gear for much of the second-half, Amorim brought on two defenders.
United were chasing a win, yet in the 87th minute, Amorim’s double substitution saw Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven brought on.
This was clearly with set pieces in mind, however to have three centre-backs on the pitch in the dying moments when searching for a goal made no sense.
Amorim’s refusal to deviate from the back three will cost him, and it did against Fulham as his team were crying out for more players to get on the ball high up the pitch.
Instead, United were playing for throw-ins and corners.
Swapping Amad for Diogo Dalot at wing-back
Yet another error with the substitutions saw Amorim bring off Amad and put on Diogo Dalot.
In what can only be seen as an attempt to go defensive, Dalot was poor both in attack and defence, while being directly involved in conceding.
Amad was having no worries defensively, so taking him off when he offers so much more in attack while needing goals is just another baffling decision.
When Amad went off, it impacted Mbeumo and pretty much the fluidity of the entire attack.
Not playing to Benjamin Sesko’s strengths
Benjamin Sesko in Man Utd shirt
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
The final error Amorim made in the 1-1 draw was the manner in which Benjamin Sesko was used.
All game, United were crossing the ball into a box with no threats, but the moment 6ft 5in Sesko is brought on this all ceased.
United weren’t using Sesko as the focal point he can be and as a result he looked lost and so did his teammates.
When given the ball, Sesko’s link-up and hold-up play looked very encouraging but it needs to happen more, and he absolutely should be starting games going forward.