Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim delivered a stark assessment of his team's current state, describing them as "maybe the worst" in the club's 147-year history following a 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.
The loss marked United's sixth home Premier League defeat this season, their worst record in the opening 12 home matches since 1893-94. The team has managed to collect only 11 points in 11 league games since Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag in November, leaving them languishing in 13th place.
"In [the past] 10 games in Premier League, we won two," Amorim stated candidly. "Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me." The Portuguese manager acknowledged the gravity of the situation, adding, "We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that."
While Amorim's assessment might seem hyperbolic, statistics paint a similarly grim picture. Only 13 United teams have had a lower points tally at this stage in the club's history, with the last occurrence in 1986-87. The team has already lost 10 of their 22 Premier League games this season, reaching double-digit defeats earlier than any campaign since 1989-90 under Alex Ferguson.
Before the match, Amorim had a lengthy conversation with legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who advised him to "keep positive." However, maintaining optimism has proven challenging as the losses continue to mount. The team's only recent Old Trafford success came against bottom club Southampton, and even then, they required Amad Diallo's late hat-trick to secure victory.
The club appears to be heading toward a major rebuilding phase. Several key players are expected to depart, including Brazilian winger Antony, who could join Real Betis, and Marcus Rashford, whom Amorim confirmed is "out at this moment." The club is also open to releasing Casemiro, their highest earner at £375,000 per week, who hasn't played since December 30.
Despite the challenges, Amorim remains committed to his 3-4-3 formation that brought him success in Portugal, though he admits United's players are struggling to adapt. "I knew that was going to be hard to put a completely new idea in the moment," he explained. "Everybody here is underperforming and we have to accept that. It is unacceptable to lose so many games."
A glimmer of hope exists in the impending signing of 17-year-old Paraguayan defender Diego Leon, potentially signaling a shift toward developing young talent rather than continuing the expensive recruitment strategy that has contributed to the club's current predicament.
The manager's frank assessment concluded with a determination to persevere: "I know we can succeed but I am not naive. We need to survive this moment. But I am not going to change, no matter what."
