Man Utd Under Ruben Amorim: A Tough Start to Life at Old Trafford

Ruben Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United manager has begun under challenging circumstances, with six losses in his first 11 games—the club's poorest start under a new boss since 1932. Taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, Amorim inherited a team in disarray and has openly acknowledged the uphill battle required to revive the Red Devils.

After a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle on New Year's Eve, Amorim admitted the project would take time, urging fans to brace for “suffering” and the need to “survive” the current slump. With the specter of relegation haunting United, Amorim faces mounting pressure as he attempts to implement his signature 3-4-3 system—a philosophy that has yet to deliver consistent results.

Amorim’s early results highlight the difficulty of imposing a new style mid-season. While Ten Hag averaged 1.33 points per game in his final eight Premier League matches, Amorim has managed only one point per game in the same competition. The shift to a 3-4-3 formation has come with growing pains, as players adapt to new responsibilities and tactics.

The Boxing Day defeat to Wolves exposed the gaps in Amorim’s system. Critics compared his team’s struggles to Wolves’ seamless adaptation under Vítor Pereira, but Amorim defended his approach, noting that Wolves’ squad was better suited to their manager's style. Despite this, the Portuguese tactician remains steadfast in teaching his philosophy, though results have been inconsistent with four wins, six losses, and a draw in all competitions.

The squad’s transition under Amorim has also drawn criticism from fans, particularly after Joshua Zirkzee was subbed off against Newcastle to jeers from the Old Trafford faithful. The 23-year-old Dutch forward has struggled, scoring only twice in eight Premier League appearances with a meager 0.40 expected goals (xG).

Rasmus Højlund, Amorim’s alternative in attack, has faced similar challenges, underscoring the team’s lack of firepower up front. This lack of offensive output, combined with defensive vulnerabilities, has hampered United's ability to string together positive results.

The Red Devils’ struggles have tempered the initial optimism surrounding Amorim’s arrival. As the team languishes in the bottom half of the Premier League table, fans are growing restless, and the coach’s long-term vision seems increasingly difficult to achieve in the short term.