Ruben Amorim’s early days at Manchester United weren’t great. After ten games in all competitions, the Red Devils returned only a W4 D1 L5 record under the new manager, with just one clean sheet to show for their efforts.
Still, there was reason for optimism out of all that, because it was a better return than what the Red Devils had produced in Erik ten Hag’s final ten games in charge (W3 D5 L2). So things have to be taken into context and a new manager always needs time to get their message across.
Amorim brought a massive change in formation, leading to unstable results. It’s given United an air of unpredictability for betting purposes, so using tips from a ClubSport prediction today, which is based on evaluating Team Strength Rate, can help greatly. Now that Amorim firmly has feet under the table at Old Trafford, here’s a look at how things went for him in 2024.
First Game in Charge
Amorim’s first game in charge of Manchester United was a Premier League match away at relegation-threatened Ipswich. The Red Devils took the lead after 80 seconds, but then limped their way to a disappointing draw. That unbeaten start was followed by a Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt and a league win over Everton.
The Storm
Amorim warned of a storm coming at the club because of changes to tactics, coupled with tougher fixtures. That storm blew in quickly when they lost back-to-back league games against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
The most evident problem with the United set-up was a lack of scoring chances being created from open play. They also became increasingly vulnerable at the back from set pieces and conceded a goal directly from a corner twice in three games against Spurs and Wolves.
Ruben Amorim’s First 10 Games
● D 1-1 v Ipswich (A)
● W 3-2 v Bodo/Glimt (H)
● W 4-0 v Everton (H)
● L 0-2 v Arsenal (A)
● L 2-3 v Nottingham Forest (H)
● W 2-1 v Viktoria Plzen (A)
● W 2-1 v Man City (A)
● L 3-4 v Tottenham (A)
● L 0-3 v Bournemouth (H)
● L 0-2 v Wolves (A)
● L 0-2 v Newcastle (H)
The Manchester Derby
United looked to have weathered the storm when they defied underdog odds to beat rivals Man City in December’s derby at the Etihad. Amorim’s game plan was spot on and the player’s delivered. That should have been the catalyst for them to kick on, as it was a platform of positivity. But the win over Man City proved to be the eye of the storm, as they would then slump badly.
More of the same old problems came back to haunt them immediately, as they fell to consecutive losses against Spurs, Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle, failing to get on the scoresheet in the latter three.
Premier League Decline
Amorim’s early Premier League returns of W3 D1 L5 were dreadful, leading to the Red Devils becoming firmly entrenched in the bottom half of the table. A gutsy draw against Liverpool in their first game in January 2025 left United with one point from four league fixtures and five losses in seven.
Amorim Improving xG?
United had scoring problems well before Amorim arrived. In their first nine league games of the season, they returned a league-high -6.78 xG, almost seven goals fewer than expected during the period. Compounding that, during the same period their xGA (expected goals against) was the sixth-worst in the league.
Amad Diallo however, has stood out in the formation and Bruno Fernandes has looked more of a driving force than ever in his new role. But there is still a void up front. The Red Devils are crying out for a proven goalscorer who will get goals on the board, as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee look far from the quality needed to push United forward.
A good sign of positivity is that since Amorim has taken over, United have been levelling out in terms of xG. The problem for them is that although it has improved under Amorim, United also carry a very poor xGA, conceding at least two goals in five of their final six league fixtures of 2024.
In Summary
Was it a great start? No, in fact, it was the worst return by a new Man Utd manager since the 1930s. Of United’s last six managers, Amorim’s record from his first ten games in charge was worse only than Louis van Gaal’s W3 D4 L3.
But most Man Utd fans will point to the fact that there is at least a game plan and among the poor run of form, some things are at least pointing in the direction. Patience and the transfer market will be the keys.
