New Delhi: Manchester United have hit a new low under head coach Ruben Amorim after suffering a humiliating penalty shootout defeat to fourth division club Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday.
United manager Ruben Amorim is already under pressure after taking just one point from two games in the Premier League, and after taking the earliest possible exit route in the League Cup, their chances of lifting a trophy this season have suffered a massive blow. Already without European football, United’s best chance to succeed was in the League Cup and the FA Cup. But crashing out in one of the two domestic competitions not only ended their improbable trophy chances but also gave a glimpse of a dark future.
Bryan Mbeumo missed the 26th penalty of the long shootout to send the League Two side through to the next round after the match ended 2-2 in normal time. Grimsby, backed by a passionate home crowd, looked more determined at the start and were rewarded with two goals in the first half against the clueless United defence. The Red Devils managed to make a comeback by netting two late goals, but eventually suffered an embarrassing defeat.
Amorim’s reign at United
Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United manager has been disappointing to say the least. He was appointed as the club’s head coach from Sporting CP amidst much fanfare, but only managed to win seven games in the 29 Premier League matches, with a win rate of 24.7%, which is the worst of any United manager in the post-Ferguson era.
The Red Devils earned just 42 points last season under Amorim, their lowest-ever total in the Premier League, finishing 15th on the league table. They managed to score just 44 league goals during that campaign, which is another unwanted record for the club. Their inability to find the net early has become a trend, and it has continued even in this season, with new players in the frontline.
New signings fail to make impact
The Carabao Cup second-round defeat to Grimsby Town was not just a shock for the fans, but it was a symbol of a club winding into mediocrity. Amorim was stunned on the touchline, while United fans watched their club slump to a new low. His players took penalties without him visibly leading or encouraging them.
United’s senior leadership, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and technical director Jason Wilcox, backed Amorim in the transfer market, spending £200 million on attack, despite last season’s performance.
They decided to give Erik Ten Hag a contract extension after he led the club to the FA Cup title, and sacked him within three months. They rejected Thomas Frank, Marco Silva, and Graham Potter and decided to trust Amorim with a long-term project.
New signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko failed to make an impact in the opening three games. They looked average against the League Two opposition and failed to find the back of the net without looking threatening throughout the game. Mbeumo scored his first goal for the club, but he and Cunha failed to score a penalty, which led to the club’s exit from the Carabao Cup.
Amorim’s system isn’t working, and it’s costing the club its future
The Portuguese head coach’s famous 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation is clearly not suited to the club’s DNA or its players. Wingers like Jadon Sancho and Antony have been cast aside, while Marcus Rashford has joined FC Barcelona on a season-long loan.
Young talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are also exploring their options in the market. Garnacho was once looked at as the face of the club’s future is now linked with a move to Chelsea, while Mainoo is reportedly willing to leave United if a suitable offer arrives. Amorim’s insistence on playing Bruno Fernandes in Mainoo’s preferred position is proof of his rigid tactical philosophy.
His system thrived in a less physically demanding and fewer competitive sides in the Portuguese League. In the Premier League, his reluctance and inability to adapt have been exposed by managers like Arne Slot and Marco Silva.
His system was exposed again during the 1-1 draw against Fulham last week, where Silva’s in-game changes completely shifted the balance of the match. Despite spending massive money on the attacking line, United continue to misfire in front of the goal.
Leadership in question
With so much history, backing and investment, a club like Manchester United isn’t supposed to finish 15th in the league table, and they certainly aren’t supposed to lose against League Two opposition. But they are struggling badly, and the question looms in every United fan’s mind: what now?
The blame just can’t be on Amorim alone. United’s leadership made their decision and now must accept its failure. But it is quite clear after the first three games that without a change in either system or manager, the club risks losing not just matches but its identity and soul. They need to make a massive statement against Burnley on Saturday, and then come up with a better strategy after the international break.