Ruben Amorim sustained his eighth Premier League loss as Manchester United’s head coach last night, with the side consequently dropping to 15th in the table.
To say it’s going from bad to worse for everyone involved at the club would be something of an understatement. United’s positioning in the league is lowering with every matchweek, while their injury list is increasing with each training session.
Prior to the game against Tottenham Hotspur, it was announced that Amad Diallo was expected to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a knee issue sustained at Carrington last week. Lisandro Martinez’s season is already confirmed to be over, while Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer all suffered setbacks that ruled them out of the clash.
As a result, Amorim named a bench with eight teenagers who were yet to make their senior debuts – though only prolific frontman Chido Obi was granted a brief cameo in injury time.
Amorim awaiting first David Moyes meeting this weekend
Next up for the Reds is a trip to Goodison Park to face former manager David Moyes, who’s completely revitalised a once-despairing Everton side following the departure of Sean Dyche.
Moyes has won four, drawn one and lost one since re-taking the reins on Merseyside, and, as such, the United faithful perhaps know better than to approach Saturday’s early kick-off with anything but cautiousness.
Former Red Michael Owen issued a concerning verdict after Sunday’s affairs in North London, hinting that Amorim may not be the right person to inspire the club’s much-needed comeback after all.
“It was a game lacking quality, with two average teams, but it’s a huge result for Spurs,” said Owen on Premier League Productions.
“It’s not getting any better for Manchester United, and they don’t look like a team at all. I like the manager, I like what he says and his demeanour, but I don’t like his team, and it’s hard to see it getting any better.”
Keep in mind these are the same pundits calling for Amorim to “adapt” to best use the players he has. Sounds reasonable on the surface … but that’s what Ten Hag did. The same pundits noted Ten Hag’s adaptation but slammed Ten Hag for not having a system or “identity”. So, which is it? Stick to an identity or adapt to the players’ strengths? The pundits can’t have it both ways.
Maybe we should acknowledge that pundits get paid for their appearances, not for being right.
One would think that one ‘strength’ of these highly-paid professionals would be the ability for them to adapt to a new Manager’s system, rather than he having to adapt to them. But no sign so far that they can, and let’s face it: despite Amorim’s late appointment, the players have now had many, many training sessions under him – surely it shouldn’t be so very difficult for them. I’ve no idea what the solution might be, and rather feel no-one else has. New Manager? What, again?
I realize any sport can not be perfect on the fundamentals by players, otherwise if it was every professional game would end 0 -0 ,no matter what sport. When our midfield players CONTINUALLY try 60 -80 yard DIAGONAL passes, that keep being intercepted, that is not the coaches fault! Our PLAYER decision making this year has been AWFUL ! in my opinion. Once our players correct this the system will work.