Having been outfought and outgunned once more in West London, Ruben Amorim and his Manchester United squad simply didn’t have the answers against a new-look Brentford on a forgettable Saturday afternoon.
Frustratingly, consecutive Premier League wins remain as far away now as they have ever been for the former Sporting tactician.
In what was a 17th league defeat during his tenure, United sit 14th in the table with seven points from six outings, as many points off the Champions League places as they are from the relegation zone (four).
For many, enough is enough, and even the most patient of supporters can understand the reasoning.
Whether you want to point towards the system, the conversation about square pegs in round holes, team selection, or in-game alterations, a dejected fan base is tired.
Will Ineos stick or twist with Ruben Amorim in Manchester?
If the Arsenal performance provided ample reasoning for positivity in defeat, the capitulation at Blundell Park, which preceded a disappointing showing in the Manchester derby, felt like one step forward and two steps back.
Worryingly, what we witnessed at the Gtech Community Stadium was an unproven coach, in Keith Andrews, assemble a winning formula that completely nullified his opposition. For context, Saturday was the former Irish international’s eighth game in management.
I will not attempt to defend this, particularly with the ease with which Igor Thiago latched onto a Jordan Henderson clearance to march towards the game’s opening goal.
Ruben is tasked with preparing his squad for an optimum performance against every side. Given the lack of midweek commitments in Europe and domestic cups, no Manchester United team has enjoyed more time on the training field during the Premier League era.
Ultimately, despite all the positive metrics that highlight league-leading numbers in everything from chance creation to shots on target and expected goals (yes, I know the sheer thought of the latter enrages some), this is a results-driven business.
At some point, that will factor into the decision-making at the boardroom level.
While Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox work tirelessly in the background to cultivate the ideal setting for an ambitious Project 150, pressure is mounting from all angles, with Jim Ratcliffe stepping up his presence in and around the club’s facilities.
“It’s like ups and downs – when you win, you feel that everything, the momentum is there,” Amorim stated during his post-match responsibilities.
“When you lose, you go back to the same place, and you fight again for one win that can help you to create the momentum. Guys, I’m always doing my job. If I win, I’m in a different state of mind.
“That is normal. I’m always confident because I know what to do.”
Confidence is one thing, but it doesn’t seem to be translating to the players on the field.
Unlike some, even many at this stage, I am not afraid to point the finger of blame at the players in all of this. There is only so much that Amorim can do from the touchline, and the statistics above do point towards a side that will inevitably come good.
The question, as always, is how long will underperformance be tolerated by an ambitious hierarchy that demands perpetual progression? Say what you will about the billionaire and his trusted lieutenants, they are absolutely correct to expect this in Manchester.
In the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat, I took time to gather my thoughts before sending the above tweet into the social firepit. Naturally, many misinterpreted its meaning.
To clarify, I am not naive, nor am I pinning my hopes on a lost cause. The brief statement aimed to address the numerous individual messages I had received and highlight why I have been as supportive as I have been up to this point.
Like you, I have more than a couple of concerns. I firmly believe that the players and the manager are all at fault in this equation. I also understand that it’s far easier to change the man in the hot seat.
I would not be surprised or devastated if Amorim were to depart the North West. Still, I would be immensely downtrodden given the aspirations I have had throughout his brief tenure.
Although not a like-for-like situation, Saturday’s return brought a relatively similar feeling to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following a 4-1 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road.
At that point, United had morphed from a side that earned 13 points from a possible 15 at the beginning of the season to one that achieved four from the following 21.
Ruben is correctly under the spotlight, and his future is as uncertain now as it has ever been. That said, a three-man shortlist comprising Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner, and Gareth Southgate doesn’t necessarily inspire a specific solution to the never-ending question.
Unlike some social supporters who spend their days gloating about the club’s decline in support of their opinions, I can’t help but feel more than a little heartbroken.
But I’m just an ageing idiot who loves his football club.
Let us know how you feel about Ruben Amorim, Ineos, and Manchester United in the comments or on our social channels.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com.
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4 responses to “Brentford loss breeds uncertainty for Ruben Amorim in Manchester”
I absolutely agree with you, former players forever having a go at players doesn’t help players, it’s a club that shot in confidence, or should I say psychologically scarred , we can’t keep changing coaches.
I’ve long had an issue with ex-players using their platforms to down current players. I see such little logic in it.
If we say we can not change coaches, should we just sit back and let Ruben relegate us? The guy was fed up with his job and wanted to be fired. If he stays, we will be facing relegation as early as November. Amorim is already way out of his depth.
It appears he retains the support of the hierarchy, for now..