Manchester United's current struggles are raising serious questions about the club's direction and leadership, with many observers suggesting a disconnect between reality and the decisions being made at Old Trafford. After a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Brentford, the club sits 14th in the Premier League, a far cry from the standards expected of one of football's most storied institutions.
Manager Ruben Amorim, who joined the club in November 2024, is facing increasing scrutiny. Despite previously achieving great success with Sporting Lisbon, he has been unable to replicate that form at Manchester United. In fact, his record at United includes losing more Premier League games (17) than he did in 167 matches in the Primeira Liga. There are reports that Amorim is feeling "mentally broken" due to setbacks and internal pressures, with insiders describing him as a "lonely person" unable to find harmony within the team.
One major point of contention is Amorim's unwavering commitment to his preferred 3-4-3 system. Despite spending £200 million on attacking players this summer, the team's low-scoring record suggests that the system may not be suited to the current squad. Players are being deployed in unfamiliar positions, such as Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo as wing-backs, highlighting a determination to prioritize the system over the players' natural strengths.
Adding to the sense of disconnect, the club's failure to address the goalkeeper situation during the summer transfer window has also drawn criticism. Despite the obvious need for a No. 1 goalkeeper, the club seemingly ended up with "three number twos". Pundit Peter Crouch has criticized the club for not pursuing more established options like Aston Villa's Emi Martinez. It's believed that Amorim preferred Martinez, but the club opted for the younger Senne Lammens, a decision that the manager seemingly disagreed with as he has kept Altay Bayindir in goal since Lammens' arrival.
Jamie Carragher has gone as far as to label Amorim's tenure at Manchester United a failure, suggesting it's time for both parties to move on. He believes that despite the investment in players, a different managerial approach is needed to unlock the squad's potential. Carragher even outlined a potential lineup with Bruno Fernandes as a number 10, Mbeumo on the right wing, Cunha on the left, and Sesko leading the attack, suggesting that the current squad could be competitive under a different manager.
Alan Shearer believes Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim is being spared the axe due to the owners' previous failures. The former Newcastle United striker claimed that the Old Trafford hierarchy are holding back their decision, having already received criticism for job losses, ticket increases and the short stint of Dan Ashworth.
The situation at Manchester United appears to be a complex web of systemic issues, managerial struggles, and questionable decisions. The club's inability to recognize and address these failings is a cause for concern, and a change in approach may be necessary to restore Manchester United to its former glory.
