Manchester United’s Decline Under Ruben Amorim: Offensive Struggles and Looming Unwanted Records

Since Ruben Amorim took over as Manchester United manager in November, the team’s performance has been concerning. Only five Premier League clubs have earned fewer points during this period, and United now find themselves 10 points adrift of the Champions League spots.

Amorim’s first 20 matches in charge have yielded just nine wins, with only three coming in the Europa League. Six of these victories were by a single goal margin. His win percentage is the lowest for a United manager at this stage since Sir Alex Ferguson’s early days.

The team’s attacking output has declined significantly under Amorim. United have scored the sixth-fewest Premier League goals since November, with only the current bottom three and Everton finding the net less frequently. Their defensive record has also been poor, conceding more goals than all but seven other teams.

Amorim’s adoption of a back three formation appears to be stifling United’s offense. This tactical setup rarely leads to attacking success in the Premier League, as evidenced by United’s low rankings in key offensive metrics like goals, shots, and expected goals.

With European qualification via the league now looking unlikely, United risk setting several unwanted Premier League records. They are on pace for their lowest points total, fewest wins, and most losses in a season since the league’s inception in 1992.

As United prepare to face Tottenham, both clubs find themselves in a mid-table battle, separated by just two points. A victory for Amorim’s side could provide a much-needed boost, but avoiding their first bottom-half finish since 1990 remains the primary concern for a club accustomed to competing for titles.