Amorim's Honest Criticism: Manchester United's Worst Team in History?

Ruben Amorim's scathing assessment of Manchester United's performance has laid bare the team's struggles, with the manager labeling them 'maybe the worst team' in the club's history.

Manchester United's dismal performance has come under intense scrutiny following Ruben Amorim's astonishing claim that his team might be the worst in the club's history. Although the accuracy of this statement is debatable, it highlights the profound issues plaguing the team under Amorim's leadership.

Amorim's remarks came in response to United's disheartening 3-1 home defeat to Brighton on Sunday. The team's struggles have been evident, with United languishing in 13th place in the Premier League. Since Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag in November, the team has endured a series of humiliating losses, with occasional glimpses of hope in their draw against Liverpool and FA Cup victory over Arsenal with 10 men.

Manchester United's woes precede Amorim's appointment, but the team's performance has continued to deteriorate under his guidance. This season, United has suffered six home league defeats, their highest number from the opening 12 matches since the 1893-94 campaign. As the pressure mounts, Amorim's criticism has brought the team's struggles into sharp focus.

Manchester United's Struggles Continue Under Amorim

Manchester United's dismal performance has reached a new low, with the team losing 10 of their 22 league games this term. This marks the earliest point in a top-flight season that United has suffered double-digit defeats since the 1989-90 campaign. Amorim, once hailed as one of the brightest young coaches in the game, is now grappling with the reality of United's decline.

Amorim's brutal assessment of his team has shed light on the depth of United's problems. “Our players are really nervous in actions,” Amorim said. “When you go on the pitch you remember the last games here. If I feel it, the players feel it a lot. The only way is to continue to do the same and to win games, that's the only way to fix this.” This candid admission highlights the pressure and anxiety that has become synonymous with United's performances.

Amorim's struggles are, in part, a consequence of United's flawed recruitment policy in recent years. The likes of Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, Casemiro, Andre Onana, and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to justify their hefty transfer fees, leaving Amorim with an unbalanced squad. This has made it challenging for Amorim to implement his preferred high-energy 3-4-3 formation, further exacerbating the team's struggles.

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe and his advisors have made a questionable impression since becoming United's co-owner last year. They hesitated over Erik ten Hag's future after last season's surprise FA Cup final win against Manchester City, eventually deciding to keep the Dutchman despite considering Thomas Tuchel as a replacement. When Ten Hag struggled again this season, Ratcliffe dismissed him in October, only to then fire sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months in the role.

Ruben reacts to today's game.#MUFC || #MUNBHA

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 19, 2025

Ruben Amorim's blunt criticism of United could be seen as a message to Ratcliffe to invest in new signings before the January transfer window closes. The team's current 13th place would equal their lowest finish since 1989-90, while their tally of 26 points from 22 games is eight fewer than at this stage of any previous season since 1992. Last season, they finished eighth, which ranked as their worst final position since 1990.

Despite those damning numbers, United historians could argue against Amorim's “worst team” claim on a purely statistical level. United have been relegated from the top flight five times, a fate Amorim's squad is unlikely to suffer as they sit 10 points above the drop zone. Their most recent relegation came in 1973-74 when United legend Denis Law returned to Old Trafford with Manchester City to score the goal that sealed their fate.

It was ironic that United hit their latest low point against Brighton on the day they paid tribute to Law, who passed away aged 84 on Friday. Law, along with Bobby Charlton and George Best, formed United's 'Holy Trinity' after leading the team to European Cup glory in 1968. Leading United to Champions League glory seems a distant goal for Amorim as he grapples with the enormity of the task facing him at Old Trafford.