Sport
Ruben Amorim is entering the most important month of his Manchester United career
Ruben Amorim couldn’t watch as Bruno Fernandes took a stoppage time penalty against Burnley before the international break. Had the Portuguese midfielder missed, as he did in the 1-1 draw against Fulham, the malaise around Manchester United would have deepened. Fernandes converted, but the Old Trafford outfit still have their issues.
United claimed three points against Burnley and were the dominant side for large periods of the match. However, Amorim’s team still ended up nearly dropping points to a promoted opponent on the back of damaging results against Fulham and Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
Amorim is entering the most important month of his career as Manchester United manager to date starting with Sunday’s derby against Manchester City. The Portuguese coach has been afforded more patience than any other post-Ferguson at Old Trafford and so now is the time for United to show the process is working.
There were encouraging signs in the performance against Arsenal on the opening weekend. While Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat at home, they played with an energy and intensity that suggested Amorim had got through to some of his players. Had United been sharper in front of goal, they would have taken at least a point.
The Fulham performance was more concerning, particularly the way the visitors to Craven Cottage faded as the match progressed. By the final 10 minutes, United were hanging on and were possibly fortunate to escape with a point. A few days later, Amorim’s team were humbled by League Two opponents.
With the transfer window still open, Amorim could argue he was still moulding his squad as these matches came thick and fast. Now though, the window is closed, and Manchester United’s squad is settled. Amorim has no further excuses to fall back on. It’s time for his United side to prove they are heading in the right direction.
“When they put the effort in, I always love them,” said Amorim after the 3-2 win over Burnley, coming just days after the Portuguese coach had revealed dissatisfaction with his players related to their performance against Grimsby. “I think we need to understand that we should always be on a high level of effort.
Benjamin Sesko is still to be fully integrated into the Manchester United lineup following his summer transfer from RB Leipzig. Amorim has been keen not to rush the Slovenian before he is ready, but if Sesko has been signed for the first team now is the time for him to be introduced as the new focal point of United’s attack.
Kobbie Mainoo is another player who will surely play a bigger role after the September international break is over. The 20-year-old has been a peripheral figure for Manchester United so far this season and was even linked with a move away from the club, but Amorim needs a two-way central midfielder, and Mainoo fits the bill better than anyone else in his squad.
Senne Lammens arrived from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day as the new goalkeeper that many believed Manchester United desperately needed. Andre Onana looks likely to join Trabzonspor on loan, meaning Lammens is vying with Altay Bayındır for the number one jersey. Lammens could make his debut against Manchester City this weekend.
2025 has been a long process for Amorim. He has been afforded patience and has been allowed to remould Manchester United’s squad in his image. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have thrown their weight behind Amorim. At some point, the Portuguese must show he’s the right man for the job and this month’s fixtures against City, Chelsea and Brentford will be a yardstick.
