Ruben Amorim didn’t mince his words after Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton, labelling his squad “the worst team in the history of Manchester United”.
United have now lost six of their 11 Premier League games since Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag who was sacked earlier in the season.
After the game at Old Trafford he said, “We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know you want headlines, but I’m saying this because we need to face the reality and change it. Here you go: your headlines.”
United are 13th in the league, 10 points above the relegation zone. But after that performance, relegation is far from certain.
Yankuba Minteh scored early for Brighton, Bruno Fernandes levelled from the penalty spot before half time. In the second half Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter sealed the win for Brighton and left United in a mess.
The numbers are grim. United have lost six of their 12 home league games this season, a record not matched since 1893-94.
The Red Devils have lost 10 in 22 league games this season, their quickest to double figures since 1989-90.
Amorim admitted this season has been tough for fans and himself, saying: “Imagine what this is like for a Manchester United fan. Imagine what it is for me. We brought in a new coach who is losing more than the last one. I am fully aware of that.”
Despite the team’s struggles Amorim is sticking to his football philosophy. His 3-4-3 formation hasn’t worked with this team but he’s not going to change.
“I am not going to change, no matter what — I know we can succeed but first we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now,” he said.
To make things even more gloomy United paid tribute to club legend Denis Law who died at 84.
Law, part of the ‘Holy Trinity’ statue alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best was given scarves, flowers and a minutes applause before the game. But United’s performance likely would have been shocked the legendary striker..
Amorim said: “In nine Premier League games we won two. Everyone here is playing badly, no matter the situation. We can’t lose so many games for any Premier League team, let alone Manchester United. This is tough but we have to keep going. There’s no other way.”
Brighton are still in charge of the club, six wins in their last seven league games – a painful reminder of how far United have fallen since 2013.
Now Amorim has his sights on Thursday’s Europa League game against Rangers and a win to pick up the team’s mood.
“I knew it would be tough to implement a completely new idea but when you don’t win three games in a row it’s even harder,” he said. “We are breaking all the bad records and it’s painful. But I am here to help my players and we have to go through this difficult period.”
Manchester United fans are longing for the good old days but the road ahead is unclear under Amorim.
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