-Credit:Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Manchester United slumped to a dismal ninth Premier League defeat of the season after defeat to Newcastle United. Eddie Howe’s side condemned Ruben Amorim’s struggling side to their fifth loss in six matches and Manchester Evening News readers have had their say on the result in our comments section.
The Reds got off to a disastrous start, with almost identical goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton inside the first 20 minutes leaving supporters reeling. Sandro Tonali came agonisingly close to putting the Magpies 3-0 up, only to see his effort strike the post.
Despite a change in momentum after the introduction of Kobbie Mainoo for Joshua Zirkzee in the 33rd minute, United drew a blank for the third match in a row. Harry Maguire came closest to breaking the duck, but his second-half header crashed against the upright.
READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes ruthless decision at Manchester United as next staff member ‘sacked’
READ MORE: ‘We will be out of it’ – Christian Eriksen makes bold Manchester United claim after Newcastle loss
The defeat – United’s third on the trot and fifth in six matches – has left head coach Ruben Amorim feeling “embarrassed” that his team are only seven points clear of the relegation zone at the halfway stage of the season. Speaking at full-time, he said: “Yeah, it’s also my fault in this moment because I think the team is not improving.
“I think it’s a little bit lost in this moment, so it’s a little bit embarrassing to be a Manchester United coach and to lose a lot of games. But we have to cope with difficult moments in the life of everybody, so it’s a hard moment. When you have these kind of moments, especially in the big clubs, you work really hard to turn things around, especially when you don’t have a lot of time to train the basics to cope with the difficult moments.”
As the curtain falls on a dismal 2024, United will be desperate to turn the corner in the new year – starting with a daunting trip to league leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Commenter Trouble4 says: “I wanted Amorim and I still think in the long-term he is our best chance. But I worry about him being a tinkerman. Tinkers too much and too much experimenting at a time when we need some wins. But my biggest worry is that he doesn’t seem to learn. Playing Eriksen and Casemiro together again in the midfield. It just does not work. And starting Zirkzee. He has to learn and learn quickly because these things just have not worked.”
Gaffer1 agrees: “I want Amorim to succeed but he does need help. Firstly, we urgently need a successful set piece or defensive coach. We are conceding a goal-per-game plus other chances from crosses every game.
“If Reuben can’t get three centre halves from within to defend properly. We have to look outside the club for a tough modern centre back, even on loan. If we can’t do that, Amorim has to change to a back four with some extra legs in midfield. I really want this manager to be here long-term but he can’t be stubborn and he must appear more flexible tactically and formation wise.”
Anniemause adds: “I don’t think the 3-4-3 formation is fundamentally the problem. At the start of Amorim’s time it didn’t look that bad and indeed in some ways, the team looked more balanced than under Ten Hag. I think it’s Amorim’s failure to quickly settle on a first team and his obsession of bringing on random substitutes on after 60 minutes or so, and then bringing others on later in the game who are unlikely to ever create a real change in the course of the game (eg Antony) that is the problem.
“There is far too much arbitrary rotation and not enough continuity in the team. How many games has Amorim been in charge of where eight or more players were the same? He needs to make his mind up who his best team is and keep playing it (injuries allowing) for a number of games and see if the team starts to build a better understanding both of the system and of each other.
“At the same time he needs to challenge the rest of the squad to try and break into the first team instead of letting everyone have a go without any real justification for doing so.”
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during his side’s miserable defeat to Newcastle -Credit:PA Wire/PA Images
Willowluna says: “We can bang on about differing systems until the cows come home, but in my opinion no matter what system you play it should not prevent any footballer (especially so called international standard) being unable to perform the basics. Passing the ball to a team mate, winning the ball in the air, running yourself into the ground for your team mate, being a LOT stronger physically.”
Toothpick points out: “United with a large fan base and former players are putting too much pressure on the players with endless complaints and opinions. Forget how much they are earning, they are only human beings. The result is the players are no longer their expressive persona when they play.
“They are simply playing to United fans expectations – zero risk taking (look at the number of goals scored). Player performances get dissected to every detail. This is the reason why they are not the same exciting players we saw or bought. We have gone through enough management, manager, coach and players changes. The fans (including ex-players) have remained the same in terms of expectations. If this doesn’t change it will always affect players and it will only take the team backwards.”
SimplyRed60 foresees: “We are going to be in a relegation battle. Played off the park and could have been four or five down by the break. Watching Ipswich beat Chelsea, I saw the fire that is needed to stay in Premier League when backs are to the wall. We don’t have that. It’s not Amorim’s fault that we have poor players. But he now needs to stop tinkering, pick a team that will grind out results and focus on survival or he will be gone before the end of the season. Maybe keeping Ruud until summer was a better option.”
MickShaw thinks: “Time to bring in Ethan Wheatley up top, the kid is better than what we are seeing right now. Ethan was included in the full squad, he was United Young Player of the year for 2024, the lad holds the ball up and turns at speed. Enough of these strikers who blank every game, our club is famous for bringing youth through and now is the time to do it.”
exLimey agrees: “I’ve said this for weeks, there are at least six youth players who would embarrass this lot. Biancheri, Obi, Scanlon. Ibragimov, KIngdon, Gore, Thwaites and Ennis. Nine mentioned here, all would show fight, skill and spirit.”
RedSurf says: ”You could see the first goal emerging. Many United players were out of position. Mazraoui drifted to the middle (De Light was already there) leaving a man wide open when there was no need. And then that person able to loft in a hopeful cross not dealt with by our tallest players with the goalie rooted to his line. Dalot should be rested. He gets the ball so often, but he rarely does anything with it. Zirkzee is not on the same wavelength as any of his team mates. And probably not the ball. The closer we get to the relegation zone the better. All these players need shaking up. Pity they are not paid on performance as not many would have been paid today.”
Boysof66 is frustrated: “United are an embarrassment, based on their first half performance, we don’t have a single player who would be certain of a place on the Liverpool bench and a lot of that team would not get a start for any other team in the Premier league. I have supported United for nearly 60 years and this is, without doubt, the worst team that I have ever seen.”
Were you disappointed by the result? What are your recommendations for taking the team forward? Have your say in our comments section.