Manchester United’s season has started on a troubling note, with Ruben Amorim facing scrutiny like never before. After a string of disappointing results and a style of play that leaves fans frustrated, Old Trafford is buzzing with unease. What was meant to be a rebuilding period has quickly turned into a pressure cooker for the Portuguese manager. Questions about tactics, how players are performing, and the patience of the fans have left United in a tricky spot rarely seen at a club of this stature.
Amorim’s record at United is stark. Just 18 wins from 48 games give him a 37.5% win rate, making him the least successful manager since World War II. Last season, the Red Devils finished 15th, and the current campaign is off to its worst Premier League start in 33 years with only four points from four games. Wayne Rooney, the club’s former captain, has been candid in his criticism, noting that the team has “got worse” and highlighting supporters leaving matches early, a rare public display of discontent. While statistical analysis can show small improvements, fans increasingly measure success in cohesion, energy, and results. Even the upcoming matches carry extra scrutiny from players and bookmakers alike. Manchester Utd’s recent league fixture against Manchester City saw various sportsbooks like the European options reviewed by the official CasinoBeats site strongly favor Manchester City over Manchester United, with draw markets also reflecting United’s underdog status. A Manchester City win was being priced at 9/13 at most of these sportsbooks. In contrast, a Manchester United win was being priced at 16/5, with the draw at 3/1. These odds made City clear favorites, reflecting both squads’ early-season struggles, but especially United’s underwhelming results and mounting pressure on manager Ruben Amorim.
The heart of the criticism lies in Amorim’s determination to stick with his 3-4-3 system. The formation has been at the centre of debate since the 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City and the embarrassing Carabao Cup exit to League Two’s Grimsby. While the structure can work with the right players, United’s current squad isn’t built for it. Paul Merson has argued that Chelsea, with their natural wing-backs, would be a better fit for Amorim’s ideas, whereas United’s flanks lack the same quality. The midfield balance has also come under fire, with holding roles leaving the defence exposed. New arrivals were meant to refresh the system, but have struggled to make a meaningful impact. Critics say the problem isn’t effort but suitability; the squad simply doesn’t match the blueprint. Amorim is still sticking to his ideas, hoping they’ll work out even though the signs don’t really back him up.
Inside the club, senior figures continue to stand behind Amorim, pointing to progress in possession, pressing stats, and expected goals compared to last season. They argue that results will eventually catch up with the data. Supporters, however, see something very different on the pitch. Frustration has grown louder, with groans greeting misplaced passes and rows of empty seats appearing before final whistles. The recent derby at the Etihad captured the mood perfectly: defensive lapses, midfield gaps, and a side unable to cope once City found rhythm. Bruno Fernandes, normally a calming presence, admitted afterwards that the team lacked composure and squandered key openings. For fans, such comments confirm what they already fear, that this United side is short of both conviction and cohesion under Amorim’s watch.
This weekend’s league fixture feels bigger than the calendar suggests. A win would buy Amorim some breathing space, but another setback could see pressure intensify to breaking point. Supporters want more than just effort; they want signs of direction, sharper movement in attack, and a midfield that doesn’t collapse under pressure. Every tactical choice will be dissected, from substitutions to shape, and every player’s performance will be judged against the weight of expectation. For Amorim, the margin for error has all but vanished as the season edges forward.
