Back-to-back Bournemouth defeats cement an unwanted statistic for the United faithful
Frustration is the prevalent word following the latest Manchester United capitulation to Bournemouth.
A limp 3-0 Premier League defeat confirms that Ruben Amorim’s side will remain in the bottom half of the table at Christmas. You must rewind to 1989-90 for the previous occurrence in the North West.
The Portuguese tactician embraced his ninth outing as United’s chief, and his ideals were evident with structure and a desired system there for all to see.
However, goals win games, and despite commanding the lion’s share of possession (60%) with 23 shots and an xG of 2.28 v 1.63, Andoni Iraola’s side earned back-to-back Old Trafford victories by an aggregate scoreline of 6-0.
While understanding must be allowed for the former Sporting chief in the early days of his tenure, four defeats and a draw have already returned a hint of social frustration from certain pockets.
His opponent, Iraola, has weaved a wand of undeniable marvel in Boscombe, with his side sitting fifth and three points off a Champions League place.
In contrast, the 20-time English champions are languishing eight places and six points worse off, with Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal presenting three of the upcoming four challenges following Christmas day.
A logical follower of the beautiful game would understand that things must get worse before they get better at the Theatre of Dreams. This group of underwhelming players must learn as they go, with little time for preparations within a congested fixture schedule.
But, as is often the case, the football world is fickle, and poor performances with a lack of points breed a hostile environment in Manchester.
An undeniable sense of belligerence is growing
Marcus Rashford was a notable absentee from the matchday squad for a third consecutive fixture, and his future at the club appears less likely with every passing day.
Revelations about his desire for a new challenge, alongside underwhelming performances and questionable body language, led to that embarrassing banner unveiled at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Online toxicity is something we are all used to in 2024, with Twitter supplying a platform for faceless cowards to spew endless vitriol at will.
But, the public discontent towards the Wythenshawe man was a startling visual from a subsection of the most applauded away support in the game.
This frustration does not stop with Rashford. Multiple first-team members are now deemed unsuitable and tagged with endless blame for their part in the decline.
Lisandro Martinez, an immediate cult hero from his arrival in July 2022, has become the subject of a targeted online campaign to belittle his efforts and tarnish his name in the North West.
Furthermore, Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, and Alejandro Garnacho have all received hideous abuse in recent months, with growing angst and disapproval festering within the fanbase.
It continuously leads me to the same question: what has happened to supporting your own?
The task for Amorim in 2025
Despite the Portuguese man having little time to cultivate his desired setup at the club, his blueprint expands with every fixture.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his backroom team have abolished their initial dynamic to embrace the 39-year-old’s vision. Furthermore, plans are underway for a suitable recruitment structure to enhance his options.
While frustration will build during this ‘get-to-know-you’ phase, an appreciation of the task ahead is required.
A trip to Wolves is followed by the arrival of Newcastle before a short journey to Liverpool for the opening fixture in 2025. This is by no means an easy schedule and has the capability to supply further forgettable moments for a suffering supporter base.
Fundamentally, the man is attempting to revolutionise a dysfunctional football club with a system that catapulted Sporting to the head of the table.
The success that many desire throughout the Red Army can not happen overnight. But, there does not always need to be someone to blame, and United supporters need to start pulling together for a common goal.
Back the manager, the players and the plan. It is that simple.
How do you feel about Ruben Amorim and Manchester United heading into the new year following a disappointing defeat to Bournemouth?
Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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