Manchester United has fallen badly out of step in the Premier League. After the 1-1 draw against West Ham, the mood around Old Trafford was miserable.
2-0 against Sunderland, 2-1 at Liverpool FC, and an exhilarating 4-2 win against Brighton & Hove Albion – at the end of October, Manchester United seemed well on their way to shooting their way back into England’s top flight. But with only one win in their last five games, the high spirits are gone.
There were actually whistles and boos after Thursday night’s 1-1 draw with West Ham. Although they are currently only two points off fourth place in the Champions League, coach Ruben Amorim’s team remains a mystery. Former United captain Roy Keane, for example, predicted as an expert on Sky Sports: “The word everyone will use is frustration.” However, Soungoutou Magassa’s late debut goal for West Ham opened the door to harsh criticism. “I wouldn’t trust or believe in this team,” Keane made clear: “They may have more goals in the bag, but there are still big question marks in defense and midfield.”
Amorim wants to keep a cool head
United have conceded at least one goal in each of their last seven Premier League games. Amorim, who appeared agitated, initially wanted to let emotions cool down. There will be no repeat of the outburst that followed the home defeat to Brighton in January, when he cut his hand and smashed a TV in the dressing room.
However, the equalizer annoyed the Portuguese immensely. “They win the second ball against three players,” he lamented. “Second balls are sometimes tactical things. We try to adapt with the players we have. But we can’t give away corners to a team that is so much bigger than us.”
The main problem for Amorim is that a pattern is gradually developing. Keane also shares this feeling: “One moment you think they’re making progress, they could move up to fifth place, but then they don’t finish it off.” The 54-year-old Irishman has the impression that the team is even ‘afraid’ to “finish the job.”
There will be a chance to disprove this theory next Monday at Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, the fall from grace for the bottom team in the table, which has earned a measly two points from 14 games, is enormous.
