There are a lot of things to be frustrated about for Man Utd fans when it comes to Ruben Amorim these days, but the most maddening one is the easy win he refuses to take.
Mid-table has become the new normal for Man Utd, and Ruben Amorim’s “good days are coming” promise seems as empty as Manchester City’s stadium on a matchday.
Clearly, the issues are looking like they are too much to solve for Amorim, and that’s partly because most of them are of his own making.
Most of them can’t be solved with a single tweak here or there, which is why it’s maddening to see him refuse to take the easiest win there is.
Luke Shaw, Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey training at Carrington
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim can evaporate fan frustration with single change
There are a lot of on-field changes Amorim can make to get this team firing, like pushing Bruno Fernandes higher up the pitch, for example.
What is your MESSAGE to Ruben Amorim after the 1-1 draw vs West Ham?
“We had good moments and we lost a little bit of control after the goal. We should have closed the game when we scored the first one.”
Ruben Amorim
Manchester United v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
However, that is all tactical, and as long as the players don’t feel confident, that is unlikely to work beyond doubt, which is to say that the result of that change isn’t in Amorim’s hands.
The same can’t be said for another aspect where he has lacked, which is trusting the youth and empowering them to make a difference.
More United News
Ruben Amorim has managed this season like he has forgotten that a youth academy exists, and the only way to get into the team is by being old.
Shea Lacey continues to warm the bench in three games where United have looked insipid in attack. The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte continue to see minutes despite poor patches of games, while youngsters like Ayden Heaven are hooked off at the first sign of panic.
That is not even mentioning the plight of Kobbie Mainoo, who reached a new low in the 1-1 draw against West Ham because he didn’t even receive pity injury time minutes this game.
Man Utd fans were forgiving of the team last season in the Premier League because Amorim played youngsters, who were a glimmer of hope while developing on the job.
Considering how poorly his senior team has been doing, ignoring the youngsters this season is the biggest self-inflicted goal he’s scored this season.
Amorim’s legacy at Man Utd will be dark
Amorim has been historically bad at Old Trafford, but he retains the support of a section of fans, as well as the board, because it’s clear that the problems at United run much deeper than the manager.
THIS was Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo’s first meeting – November 12, 2024
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
However, even those before him who were sacked due to poor performances left behind a legacy in the form of a player/trophy that is a “plus” in their favour.
For David Moyes, it was Adnan Januzaj. Louis van Gaal had numerous, but Marcus Rashford will forever owe his career to the Dutchman.
Jose Mourinho won multiple trophies, and his promotion of Scott McTominay has aged like wine. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought the United ethos back by giving numerous debuts.
Finally, Erik ten Hag’s picture with Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho will go down in the annals of Man Utd.
What does Amorim have? No trophies, an ignored academy, sidelining exciting academy prospects in the first team, and a style of play so turgid it hasn’t developed in a whole year.
He has the easiest opportunity to correct at least one of those mistakes by starting to trust the youth. It’s maddening to see that he just won’t take it.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox