Manchester United were brought back to reality following Christmas festivities, as Ruben Amorim fell to a fifth defeat as head coach against a clinical Wolves outfit.
Like many fixtures under the Portuguese tactician, his team started brightly and controlled proceedings for long periods.
But, a lack of cutting edge in the final third and a shocking inability to deal with set pieces once again proved the catalyst for his side’s capitulation.
Red cards, suspensions, questionable goalkeeping and the task ahead. Here are our five talking points from a third consecutive defeat for the Reds.
Set piece agony has become a familiar foe
As we have witnessed throughout the 2024-25 campaign, an inability to effectively reject opponents’ set-piece routines was again laid bare.
The brilliant Matheus Cunha delivered an inch-perfect inswinging corner that breezed past defenders, attackers and a boxed-in Andre Onana.
To concede directly from the corner spot is an anomaly at the highest level. However, allowing that particular outcome on two occasions in three outings is mind-boggling.
Yes, Onana should not let that happen regardless of the situation, and yes, his defenders should offer more protection against Wolves set-up.
But, as much as I support Amorim and his coaching team, let’s not allow the Portuguese a free pass on everything. This is an obvious issue and something that needs to be solved immediately.
Frustration leads to ill-discipline
If defeat wasn’t enough of a bitter pill to swallow, Bruno Fernandes receiving his marching orders compounded the misery.
United’s captain was sent off for a second bookable offence less than two minutes after the restart.
Naturally, his departure made the evening even harder and catalysed a second-half home onslaught.
What’s worse is in collecting his fifth yellow card of the season, Manuel Ugarte will join Fernandes in suspension for the upcoming fixture against Newcastle.
These are difficult times for troubled Reds, and they need composure from veteran squad members. A difficult task against Eddie Howe’s side has been made even trickier.
Where have all the goals gone?
Despite erratic results and questionable defending, goals had appeared to be a regular sight for Amorim’s side.
But following a return of seven in three outings up to the final whistle against Spurs, the 20-time English champions have endured back-to-back Premier League defeats without a solitary strike.
Rasmus Hojlund is not yet the finished article, and the youngster’s spatial awareness and savvy movements in the box must improve.
But he is undeniably the most clinical finisher at the club, and his teammates must start prioritising feeding him the football.
The lack of cutting-edge in the final third will prove the ultimate downfall if not addressed.
A fifth defeat in ten for Amorim
Having begun Manchester life undefeated in three, the Portuguese has now tasted defeat in 50% of his fixtures, with his side languishing in 14th position.
It’s a notably tricky task for the former Sporting man, and he’s essentially utilising square pegs in round holes.
But, regardless of the scenario he inherited and the style he formulated in a short time, results are the fundamental criteria for any Manchester United chief.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his best-in-class team will undoubtedly understand he needs time to formulate his ideals with suitable backing in the transfer windows.
But they have proved an erratic group and a pocket of disgruntled supporters is building with every fixture.
Common logic does not apply to all. Unfortunately, as we all know, football is a fickle world.
A daunting task awaits
Defeats to Bournemouth and Wolves have followed a Carabao Cup exit to Spurs, with a sense of disappointment echoing across the supporter base.
Newcastle arrive at Old Trafford on Monday before United travel to Liverpool and Arsenal for league and FA Cup fixtures.
When asked how long he expects a surge in performances to arrive, Amorim said: “I have no idea. No idea.”
“Instead of me trying to understand how much time it will take, just day by day, improving, trying to see the videos and use every minute of training and try to win some points because it’s really important in this moment.
“It’s a tough moment and we are far from the end of this moment.
“I manage but I haven’t trained. They are changing completely the way of playing, it is really hard on them, [it] is really hard on all the staff to pass on information and when you don’t have results it’s even harder for them to believe, we have to continue. It’s a tough moment and we have to focus on the next game.”
How do you feel about Manchester United, Ruben Amorim and the fixture schedule ahead?
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