The Premier League season is barely underway, but Manchester United supporters are already on edge.
After a crushing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, questions are mounting over whether manager Ruben Amorim can turn things around before the team slides further down the table.
Amorim’s Struggles Under the Spotlight
The loss came in front of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and Director of Football Jason Wilcox, leaving Amorim with little room to hide.
Despite pre-season preparation and more than £200 million spent on new signings, the Portuguese coach’s side looks shaky, particularly in defense.
Former United defender and pundit Gary Neville didn’t mince words.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he warned: “We can’t be getting into October with Man Utd 14th or 15th. They have to start winning quickly.
There has to be a turnaround pretty quickly, and the manager’s idea has to land with the players.”
Amorim Sticks to His Philosophy
After the game, Amorim made it clear he won’t compromise on his tactics or philosophy.
“If ownership wants a change, they will have to remove me,” he said, underscoring his commitment to his system even amid mounting pressure.
Neville remains skeptical. “I’m worried about the manager, I’m worried about what’s going to happen in the next few weeks.
I don’t think it’s a time for panic, but I’ve seen this before—we’ve seen this film,” he said, highlighting the similarities to past underperforming United managers.
Numbers Paint a Bleak Picture
The statistics tell a stark story. Amorim has managed just eight wins in 31 Premier League games, and the team has accumulated only 31 points in that span—worse than any ever-present Premier League side over the same period.
Comparisons to other clubs only deepen the concern.
Tottenham Hotspur, who finished 17th last season, have improved markedly under new boss Thomas Frank, adding pressure on Amorim to deliver quickly.
His current win percentage of 36.17 per cent is the lowest for any permanent United manager since World War II, a record that does little to calm nerves around Old Trafford.
Players’ Performances Come Under Fire
While much of the criticism has focused on Amorim, former United defender Danny Simpson pointed to player issues as well.
He singled out Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui, and Diogo Dalot, claiming they don’t fit the Premier League’s demands.
Simpson argued that their lack of threat down the flanks made life harder for forwards like Benjamin Sesko, who struggled to create opportunities during Sunday’s defeat.
Ownership and Staff Show Concern
The frustration was visible in the stands, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly burying his head in his hands as events unfolded.
Analysts and former players alike have questioned whether the team’s defensive struggles and inconsistency are due to Amorim’s tactics or the personnel at his disposal.
Roy Keane, speaking on Sky, voiced similar worries: “The team lacks real quality.
They struggle defensively, and as much as the manager is sticking to his guns, the results don’t come. Maybe the players don’t have faith in it anymore.
We gave him the benefit of the doubt when he first came in.”
The Race Against Time
With only a handful of games played, the pressure is mounting fast.
A loss in the next fixture against Chelsea could see United slip even further down the table, raising fresh questions about Amorim’s future and whether the squad is buying into his methods.
For now, fans and pundits alike are left watching, waiting, and wondering if the Portuguese coach can turn his vision into results—or if the film Neville fears is about to replay itself at Old Trafford.