Ruben Amorim has not had the start at Manchester United that fans anticipated.
Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace saw the team drop to 13th in the Premier League table. With only 29 points this season, the Red Devils find themselves as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top five.
Amorim was the first to raise concerns about relegation, struggling to find consistency in a squad that has posed challenges for many managers before him.
He has now welcomed his first two signings: Ayden Heaven joined United on Saturday, and Patrick Dorgu’s £25 million transfer was confirmed on Sunday, just hours before the match at Old Trafford. However, Amorim expressed a desire for a striker on deadline day, a wish that went unfulfilled as a deal for Mathys Tel fell through.
Ineos presented Amorim with a choice: join United now or miss the opportunity. The former Sporting boss preferred to wait until the season’s end, and it’s clear why. He has inherited a fractured and unbalanced squad that struggles to implement his style of play. This challenge was compounded by a congested fixture schedule.
Despite the poor form under the new head coach, pundits Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer advocate for him to be given time—at least until next season. On The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer stated:
“I think he needs to be given time for the rest of the season. While he won’t get a free pass, the situation is so dire that he deserves some leeway in implementing his vision. The issues run deep at the club, making a quick fix unlikely. He should be allowed this transfer window and the remainder of the season to shape his team, along with the summer window for a fresh start next season.”
The defeat to Crystal Palace was yet another forgettable match for Manchester United, who struggled to find any standout performers and fell to a 2-0 loss. The side lacked a goal threat, a persistent issue this season that was unfortunately not addressed in the January transfer window.
The overall quality of the Manchester United squad, from the starting XI to the bench, leaves much to be desired. Among the substitutes that day was Christian Eriksen, who, despite the loss, achieved something noteworthy.