Manchester United are now over 12 months into the reign of Ruben Amorim, and yet despite a vastly improved team, results and performances have barely improved.
Having seen a false dawn in the recent five-game unbeaten run, Manchester United are back to step one after losing to Everton on Monday night.
This defeat has raised serious questions for Ruben Amorim, and these are questions to which the Portuguese head coach doesn’t have the answers, having proved that in his first year in charge.
Are you confident Ruben Amorim is the right head coach for Man Utd?
But the loss to David Moyes’ side is not a one-off, and United have had a long run of terrible defeats over the past 12 months. Here are some of the worst.
Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United's players
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Manchester United 0-1 Everton
The most recent of the defeats saw United lose 1-0 to a 10-man Everton side, which was a complete embarrassment, having had most of the game to score against a numerically disadvantaged team.
United’s lack of attacking quality shone through as the team failed to break down a stubborn defence, resorting to sighters and optimistic crosses – 38 times – which left Old Trafford booing and a feeling that the team haven’t improved.
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Yet it wasn’t the worst outing of this season.
Grimsby 2-2 Manchester United (14-13 on penalties)
Back in August came a game which was arguably the most embarrassing loss in club history, and it prompted a real belief among fans that Amorim was about to walk away from United.
Losing to League Two Grimsby was atrocious, sealing Andre Onana’s fate after a howler and irreparably damaging his stance on several players.
Tottenham 1-0 Manchester United – Europa League final
Arguably, the biggest loss of Amorim’s reign is the Europa League final, in which the Red Devils were left lost in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham.
Similar to the loss against Everton, United dominated proceedings but didn’t have a plan to break down a deep defence, resulting in a defeat.
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This cost United Champions League football this season, which is financially a hit and also in terms of a lack of football this season, which could see Kobbie Mainoo leave.
Manchester United 0-2 West Ham
Prior to the final defeat against Spurs, United were on an appalling run of form, which included West Ham coming to Old Trafford and claiming all three points.
West Ham beat United 2-0 in a performance that was so devoid of quality or anything to be positive about from a United point of view.
This loss also broke an 18-year streak of not losing to West Ham at Old Trafford, one of many unwanted records.
Wolves 2-0 Manchester United
Last December, United were embarrassed by Wolves as Andre Onana conceded directly from a corner and Matheus Cunha ran rings around his future teammates.
This was a loss that topped off an already joint-worst December for the club, and really, it was an early sign that the Portuguese head coach wasn’t going to be a success.
A result to ruin Christmas spirit, Rio Ferdinand’s reaction to United’s loss said it best… No comment.
Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth
The first heavy defeat of Amorim’s time in charge came as Bournemouth came to Old Trafford and won 3-0 for a second year running.
It was a day that saw United completely played off the pitch by Andoni Iraola’s side, which made Amorim’s system look amateur.
This comprehensive defeat was another early signal that Ineos might have got it wrong.