The mood around Manchester United has shifted and the club have nobody to blame but themselves, after a performance against Fulham that became progressively worse.
Man Utd started like a house on fire and could have been three goals up by half-time, but they ended the game as the team more likely to lose.
Ruben Amorim’s decisions came under the scanner, especially the non-involvement of Kobbie Mainoo, or going defensive after leading.
It betrayed what he said before the game, where he raved about an ‘amazing problem’ he has at Old Trafford. That had turned into a worry by the full-time whistle.
Manchester United head coach / manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2025
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim’s ‘amazing problem’ at Man Utd
After splurging north of £200m to completely revamp his attacking unit, the team scoring zero goals in the first two games is not encouraging (Fulham scored an own goal in the 1-1 draw).
However, in contrast to last season, United are at least creating chances consistently, and Ruben Amorim has been generally happy with the level of performance.
The same was reflected in his comments before the Fulham game, where he talked about his team selection.
The Man Utd manager was delighted to have options on the bench, and having one game most weeks gave him a nice headache.
More United News
There were plenty of game-changers on the bench, and Amorim termed it an ‘amazing problem’.
He said before the game: “It’s an amazing problem [to have options on the bench/selecting the first XI]. I think the problem was, for example, last season.
“This season it’s perfect, because you have to think a lot, you have to imagine how the game is going to unfold, and trying to imagine the best way to win the game.”
🎙️ | Rúben Amorim on having lots of hungry #mufc players:
"It's an amazing problem. I think the problem was, for example, last season.
"This season it's perfect, because you have to think a lot, you have to imagine how the game is going to unfold, and trying to imagine the best… pic.twitter.com/pTKDpXboyh
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) August 24, 2025
View Tweet
Amorim’s in-game management is a worry
Amorim’s broader point about having a better bench is completely correct, as Man Utd fans would remember how the manager had to fill his bench with goalkeepers and academy products at times last season.
However, having the tools at your disposal is one thing, and using them to maximise effectiveness is another entirely.
The latter is where Amorim failed miserably against Fulham, with his substitutions inviting more pressure on the team.
The team could be forgiven for feeling grateful about leaving Fulham with a draw, and part of that is because four of his five substitutions were defensive.
Harry Maguire has seemingly become a permanent emergency striker. Diogo Dalot’s imagined defensive resiliency compared to Amad is just that, imagined.
Manuel Ugarte is not the player you turn to when you want control of the game, and Ayden Heaven is not a difference maker when you are looking for a goal.
Except for Benjamin Sesko, every substitution was negative, and United didn’t even use Sesko that much, which is another indictment of Amorim’s in-game management and adjusting on the fly.
It’s true that Amorim has an amazing problem of who to select, instead of putting square pegs in round holes. However, it’s resulting in a worrying situation where he, despite having all these tools, is intent on still putting square pegs in round holes.