At this stage of the Premier League season, Manchester United finds itself in unfamiliar and troubling territory. The club, steeped in a rich tradition of success, has seen only 13 teams in its history accumulate fewer points by this point in the season, with the last occurrence being in the 1986-87 campaign. This year, under the management of Ruben Amorim, United has suffered their sixth home defeat, marking their worst start at Old Trafford since the 1893-94 season. The team's struggles have been compounded by a 3-1 defeat at Brighton, leaving them languishing in 13th place in the league.
Ruben Amorim, who has been at the helm of Manchester United, openly described his squad as "the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United." Despite the mounting losses and criticism, Amorim remains steadfast in his approach. He has warned of a rollercoaster season and reiterated his commitment to his tactical philosophy. After the Brighton loss, Amorim stated:
"Like I said, I'm not going to change, no matter what."
— Ruben Amorim
United's defensive frailties have been laid bare, as they have conceded the first goal in each of their last five Premier League games at home – a joint-longest run in their history. Furthermore, ten defeats in just 22 league games mark the earliest that United has reached double figures in losses since the 1989-90 season under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Against Brighton, Bruno Fernandes' penalty was United's solitary shot on target during the match. The defeat underscored ongoing issues within the team. After the match, Fernandes expressed his bewilderment at the situation facing his club:
"I don't really get it at the moment. Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United."
— Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes further emphasized the urgency to halt this trend of poor performances:
"It can't be. I understand the perspective from the outside. But we can't be comfortable in thinking that this is ok. Because it's not."
— Bruno Fernandes
Despite these setbacks, Ruben Amorim remains resolute in maintaining his tactical approach. He has faced questions regarding his preferred 3-4-3 formation and whether it is suitable for a club with United's ambitions. However, Amorim remains convinced:
"That is clear. With me, that is clear. Because I'm not going to change the way I see the game. I'm very clear on that."
— Ruben Amorim
Amorim's determination to stick with his tactical philosophy comes amidst growing calls for change from fans and pundits alike. The current predicament raises questions about the club's ability to adapt and overcome these challenges.
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