Manager has so far secured just 28 points from 29 games as Man United's struggle continues
Fulham's Portuguese head coach Marco Silva (L) and Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim watch the players from the touchline during the English Premier League match on Sunday.
Fulham's Portuguese head coach Marco Silva (L) and Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim watch the players from the touchline during the English Premier League match on Sunday.
AFP
Two games into the new season and Ruben Amorim is already feeling the heat. The stats don’t lie — he has now managed more Premier League games than he has won points, sitting on 28 points from 87 available. That’s a poor record that would get most managers the boot.
Sure, it’s early days with just two matches gone for the new season, but the red warning signs are already flashing. After losing narrowly to Arsenal at home, United couldn’t beat Fulham away, drawing 1-1 in a game that exposed all their old problems.
The Fulham match was frustrating to watch for Manchester United fans. They had their chances in the first half but couldn’t put them away, then captain Bruno went and skied the penalty when they needed it most. In the second half, they did take the lead through an own goal, though it was dodgy — Yoro clearly shoved Bassey with two hands before the header. Even then, they couldn’t hold onto it. Smith Rowe came off the bench and scored with his first touch, showing how Silva’s subs actually improved Fulham while Amorim’s changes made United worse.
Splashing cash but no returns
It is really annoying to see Marco Silva’s Fulham looking competitive without spending a penny on transfers, while United splashed the cash on their attack and still look toothless, especially in the second half. And don’t get me started on leaving Kobbie Mainoo on the bench when their midfield looks so ordinary. Ugarte came on again and did absolutely nothing. Meanwhile, Bayindir in goal looked shaky every time Fulham got a corner.
Nobody wants to see a knee-jerk reaction after just two games, but that 28 points from 29 matches is genuinely worrying. The Mainoo situation is baffling, and the money needed to make this system work is concerning too. The window is still open, new signings definitely need time to gel, and systems take time to click. But if they’re sitting outside top 10 come November, it’s time to panic.
He might need another keeper and midfielder, but if the basics aren’t working, what’s the point? He has to get things right sooner than later. Next league match is up against newly promoted Burnley at Old Trafford and United must win that game.
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