Manchester United are entering a season-defining weak off the back of another defeat and Ruben Amorim is facing fresh questions about his work so far as head coach at Old Trafford
Manchester United are licking their wounds again after another chastening defeat away to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Captain Bruno Fernandes may have said the team showed "personality" despite losing 4-1 at St James' Park but the result leaves Ruben Amorim’s team three points ahead of 17th position.
And with the second leg of their evenly balanced Europa League quarter-final against Lyon to come on Thursday night, there is no time for United to feel sorry for themselves. Victory in Europe can offer the club a route into the Champions League - and boost the coffers to strengthen Amorim’s squad in the summer.
Here are the big stories at the start of a crucial week at United.
'I am the Bruno'
Bruno Guimaraes sent a not-so-subtle message to Bruno Fernandes after scoring Newcastle’s fourth goal against Manchester United on Sunday. The Newcastle captain finished calmly past Altay Bayindir after the United goalkeeper couldn’t clear Joelinton with his attempted pass and he celebrated passionately.
The last goal put the icing on the cake of Newcastle’s emphatic second-half performance in their 4-1 victory at St James’ Park. And Guimaraes wasn’t shy to make his feelings heard, repeatedly shouting “I am the Bruno” while pointing to his chest and the name on the back of his shirt before kissing the badge.
Record breakers
Ruben Amorim's Manchester United side will officially post the club's worst showing in the Premier League era. The defeat at Newcastle means they can no longer reach the previous all-time low amount of points - which was 58.
Even a stellar end to the season would see them hit 56 points - which will be the lowest total they've posted in more than 30 years. United have set a number of unwanted records this term and it has long looked as if they will surpass the eighth place finish from last term for all the wrong reasons.
Erik ten Hag presided over that effort, but it now looks as if the club will finish in the bottom half for the first time.
Amorim future
The Red Devils have taken just 23 points from a possible 63 in the Premier League since Ruben Amorim took charge, with the club having sacked Erik ten Hag in October.
The sack question might sound premature, especially given Amorim's attempts to radically change the Red Devils' style of play and with so many players underperforming, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe has set a precedent.
With all of that in mind, and as a portion of supporters call for the axe to be wielded once again, we asked Mirror Football's writers the looming question for our Big Debate: should Amorim be sacked?
yoaekopsy
0
Amorim is the worst man united manager, he can see that his pattern is not working, yet he continue playing 3-4-3 system instead of 4-3-4, what kind of coach is he?
Nonsense football is all about time then Arteta that was given time is now enjoying
raeablnpyz
0
Have they been any coach in the history of Man U that you fans didn’t criticize?LIFE LESSON==YOU WILL NEVER BE CRITICIZED BY SOMEONE WHO IS DOING BETTER THAN YOU,BUT ONLY MEDIOCRES, you think you are showing your love and solidarity for the club when you criticize your coaches who is having sleepless nights for the good of the good of club and you think you can ever love your club more your coach,you are a liar, so many are criticizing their coaches because they bet wrongly and lost their bets so the best person to take their frustrations out on,is their innocent coach,only a blind gambler says that Amorim has not and will not improve Man U,Cr7 has said it again and again that the problem of Man U is not the coaches,why are people too blind to see facts?
Me too I agree with Uh guy. Once Ruben get the right guys, he'll do big.
rafaeljoel
0
Amorim is the worst man united manager, he can see that his pattern is not working, yet he continue playing 3-4-3 system instead of 4-3-4, what kind of coach is he?
Nonsense even the great mourinho u said the same
Miraclekings
1
Have they been any coach in the history of Man U that you fans didn’t criticize?LIFE LESSON==YOU WILL NEVER BE CRITICIZED BY SOMEONE WHO IS DOING BETTER THAN YOU,BUT ONLY MEDIOCRES, you think you are showing your love and solidarity for the club when you criticize your coaches who is having sleepless nights for the good of the good of club and you think you can ever love your club more your coach,you are a liar, so many are criticizing their coaches because they bet wrongly and lost their bets so the best person to take their frustrations out on,is their innocent coach,only a blind gambler says that Amorim has not and will not improve Man U,Cr7 has said it again and again that the problem of Man U is not the coaches,why are people too blind to see facts?
Cosdeikrsz
0
Amorim is the worst man united manager, he can see that his pattern is not working, yet he continue playing 3-4-3 system instead of 4-3-4, what kind of coach is he?
malablata
0
Bruno Fernandes has to know his role in Man Utd team. He's a confused guy and a real liability. He's always running to score goals, is that his role? He made Man Utd to have the weakest midfield in the EPL, the player that lost possession the most last season and is leading the chat again this season. How can a midfielder be losing possession like that? Bruno Fernandes is the real liability on Man Utd, but most people don't look at statistics important to a player's role. A midfielder is not meant to be dispossessed at that rate, it put constant pressure on the defence and the strikers remained isolated.
Jisadnosuz
0
yes
Gwinghltd
2
Amorim thinks he is a magician but in man U, there is no chance for magicians.
sikudouglas
2
The playing unit is as bad as the minority owner and the head coach who has only one style of play.Manchester United must not qualify for Europe in order to start a real rebuilt next season
mundmory
0
The problem with the Chief Coach, is like a Ballet Coach trying to teach Ballet to a Cha cha Dancers. A total misfit ! that what the poor MU Mgt Team doing, hiring a misfit from what the Players needed. Thus the whole set of players screwed up endlessly on the field.