Ruben Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United’s manager began with high expectations, but his early days have been far from smooth. His team’s recent 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town underscored persistent issues that need attention, and it’s clear Amorim will need time to resolve these challenges. While United started the match strong with an early goal from Marcus Rashford, they failed to maintain momentum, showcasing their ongoing struggles with consistency, particularly in away games, where they’ve struggled to score more than once since mid-September.
This frustrating draw leaves Manchester United in 12th place in the Premier League, with only four wins from 12 matches. The lackluster result is a far cry from the club’s usual standards, putting additional pressure on Amorim to turn things around quickly. With the January transfer window fast approaching, rumors suggest that he may have limited funds to bring in reinforcements, making his task even more daunting. Moreover, Amorim has made it clear he won’t be signing players from his former club, Sporting CP, ruling out potential acquisitions like Viktor Gyokeres and Geovany Quenda.
Amorim’s first real test as Manchester United’s manager came in the Ipswich match, where his tactical approach was put under scrutiny. The performance exposed existing flaws in the squad, with players struggling to adapt to his vision and falling back on old habits. Amorim noted the team’s “in-game paralysis by analysis,” highlighting the need for quicker, more instinctive decision-making. The players’ failure to transition effectively during the match pointed to the difficulties in implementing his strategies, especially when trying to break old patterns of play.
One of the key challenges for Amorim has been the integration of new ideas into the squad, particularly with veteran players like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, whose slow-paced play has hindered midfield fluidity. Amorim has also called for more youthful energy and flexibility, with players like Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte offering the potential to inject freshness into the team. Amorim’s upcoming decisions, including his potential reliance on younger players in the Europa League, could offer the team a chance to develop and refine their play.
The manager’s tactical choices have also faced scrutiny, particularly his use of a three-at-the-back formation, which has been misaligned at times. Diogo Dalot, a right-footed player, was used as a left wing-back, which didn’t seem to work effectively against Ipswich. United’s attack has lacked fluency, and Amorim’s formation adjustments will be crucial in ensuring the team can find the right balance to move up the Premier League table. Fans are also curious to see how he manages key players like Bruno Fernandes, whose recent performances have felt disconnected despite being central to United’s play.
Looking ahead, Amorim’s focus will need to be on adapting his squad and instilling confidence, especially with high-profile players like Marcus Rashford struggling for consistency. The match against Bodo/Glimt presents another opportunity for the manager to test his tactics and further assess his players. As United’s fans wait for Amorim’s vision to fully take shape, there’s a sense of anticipation about whether he can turn the club’s fortunes around and deliver the success expected of such a prestigious club.
