Manchester United has had its worst start to a season in 33 years—Benjamin Sesko also had no chance against Manchester City. Ruben Amorim behaved as usual afterward.
Ruben Amorim has earned 33 points in his first 33 Premier League games for Manchester United, and he has flirted with the idea of leaving the club just as many times. On Sunday, after a sobering 3-0 defeat in the derby at Manchester City, it was that time again – because once again, it was all about his playing system. “If I want to change my philosophy, I will change it. If not, you have to replace the man,” i.e. himself, explained Manchester United’s coach, but once again gave no reason to believe that he is really ready for a change.
Amorim had enjoyed great success with Sporting Lisbon using a 4-3-3 system with two number 10s behind a striker, but in England it simply hasn’t worked so far, not even in the new season, before which Amorim received a lot of money to sign new players who were supposedly suitable for this system. The problems associated with the three-man midfield are too obvious. ManCity also had far too easy a time outplaying the visitors’ midfield.
Sesko literally without a chance
And up front? Thanks in part to new signing Bryan Mbeumo, ManUnited has actually increased its offensive power compared to last season’s miserable campaign—before the matchday, no Premier League club had a higher xGoals value—but so far, it has not found anyone who scores regularly. Bruno Fernandes, by far the Red Devils’ best offensive player in 2024/25, has recently been playing a more defensive role in the midfield trio, and Benjamin Sesko is still struggling to make his mark in the league.
After three substitute appearances, the €76.5 million new signing from Leipzig was allowed to start for the first time, but still showed little sign of the goalscorer he is expected to become at United. While Rasmus Höjlund, who “fled” ahead of him, promptly scored on his debut for Napoli on Saturday, Sesko had only 20 touches of the ball until he was substituted in the 80th minute the following day, none of which were in the opponent’s penalty area. He was literally left without a chance. Apart from a harmless shot on goal, he failed to get anything past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
And so, after only four points from four games – United’s worst start to a season in 33 years – Amorim has no choice but to play for time. “That’s not a record you should have at Manchester United,” he admitted, claiming to suffer more than the fans. “I can see that we are improving, but the results don’t reflect that.”
At some point, however, his boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe will also want to see this, whose frustrated expression in the stands was repeatedly captured by the cameras against Man City. At least Ratcliffe stayed until the end, unlike many of the visiting fans.
