Man United head coach Ruben Amorim needs to oversee an improvement in results sooner rather than later.
Ruben Amorim is under pressure
Ruben Amorim is under pressure(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Ruben Amorim has previously acknowledged he will "not have the time" to transform Manchester United's fortunes amid their slow start to the new campaign.
United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday night, losing 12-11 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Blundell Park.
After finding themselves 2-0 down at half-time, United fought back in the final 15 minutes via goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire to take the second round tie to a penalty shootout.
A marathon shootout saw Mbeumo miss the final effort, firing his second spot kick against the crossbar, resulting in Grimsby securing a historic victory and their spot in the third round of the competition.
As a result, United are still searching for their first win of the 2025/26 campaign. They lost 1-0 to Arsenal in their Premier League opener and played out a 1-1 draw with Fulham last weekend.
Although the season is still less than a fortnight old and the transfer window is yet to close, pressure is already increasing on Amorim from some sections of the fan base.
Reds supporters were in favour of the Portuguese chief being given a full pre-season, a first summer transfer window and time to try and arrest United's troubles, but their last two performances have generated more questions than answers.
Amorim, who appeared to be shellshocked by what he witnessed from his side on the Lincolnshire coast, said after the game that he believes "something has to change".
One thing he has previously acknowledged is that he will not be given a free pass, accepting he must transform the club's fortunes at speed.
Ruben Amorim crouches down on the touchline at Blundell Park.
The pressure is mounting.(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images.)
Speaking after his side's 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground at the start of April, the United head coach said: "In Manchester United, you don't have the time. I will not have the time. We have to get it right fast.
"In here, the pressure is too big sometimes."
What appears to be the most frustrating element for supporters is Amorim's refusal to tweak his system in pursuit of results. Any coach is entitled to play the game in whatever way they like, but it is becoming increasingly obvious United aren't functioning to their full potential in a 3-4-2-1 system.
Just three games into the campaign and Saturday's Premier League clash with Burnley at Old Trafford is already a huge match. Failure to secure three points against the Clarets will only increase the levels of pressure, especially with Manchester City (A) and Chelsea (H) to come after the international break.