Seven reasons for Man Utd to be POSITIVE after Ruben Amorim blasts flops as ‘worst team in history’
RUBEN AMORIM reckons this could be the worst team in Manchester United’s history.
The Portuguese, 39, pulled no punches after the Red Devils’ 3-1 home defeat to Brighton.
Following the loss, United’s sixth in 12 Prem home games this season, Amorim said: “We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United.
“I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and change that. So there you go, your headline.”
These comments come barely two weeks after Amorim admitted that relegation this season is a “possibility”.
So yes, things look pretty bleak for United fans – but fear not! Here are seven reasons to remain positive, as cobbled together by SunSport.
AMAD DIALLO
The Ivorian winger has unquestionably been United’s brightest spark this season.
His performances since Amorim’s arrival have made it seem frankly laughable that he wasn’t a nailed-on starter under Erik ten Hag.
Goals against Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as Thursday night’s hat-trick vs Southampton, act as clear evidence that the 22-year-old could become a special, special player for United.
OLD TRAFFORD’S NEW FUTURE
Okay, so Old Trafford has clearly seen better days. It’s dated, it’s rusting, it has plumbing problems and fans keep spotting mice and rats hanging about.
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But worry not, changes are around the corner! A Task Force set up by Sir Jim Ratcliffe has “completed its initial feasibility work into options for a new or redeveloped stadium” – brill!
A decision on whether to give Old Trafford a significant face lift, or to build a new £2bn 100,000-seater stadium, is expected to be reached by the summer.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HOPES (YES, REALLY)
Man Utd are 13th in the Prem table – 12th points behind rivals City in fourth.
But the bookies reckon they have a great chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
That’s because incredibly, the Red Devils are joint-favourites to win the Europa League… alongside Tottenham, who are even lower in the Premier League at 15th.
BIG TIME CHARLIES
Man Utd have failed to beat Ipswich, Wolves, West Ham, Crystal Palace and the aforementioned Spurs this season.
But they have performed better against some of the bigger teams, which may bode well for big Europa League tests to come.
The Red Devils recently dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup at the Emirates, grabbed a very useful point against Liverpool at Anfield and beat Manchester City with two last gasp strikes at the Etihad.
RIGHTING WRONGS
The Red Devils have forked out astonishing sums of money in recent years; from handing Marcus Rashford a £325,000-a-week contract, to inexplicably spending £85.5million on Antony.
Under their new Ineos overlords, however, the one accusation you can’t level at United is that they haven’t tried to tighten their purse-strings, often to the ire of their fans.
With Antony reportedly nearing a loan exit, and Rashford potentially on his way, however, similar mistakes may be eradicated in future.
STICKING TO THE PLAN
“Nobody panics if things are going according to plan, even if the plan is horrifying,” said The Joker in one of the most memorable Batman quotes.
And Man Utd fans who panicked under the previous regime may be encouraged to hear the clarity with which Ruben Amorim said his team will stick to his style of play no matter how much the players “suffer”.
That’s a stark contrast to Erik ten Hag, who didn’t take long to admit that the Red Devils flops could never play the style which earned him a glowing reputation at Ajax.
AGENT RUUD
Last… and let’s face it, probably least, is the job that club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is doing at Leicester, since being appointed there following his stint as Man Utd caretaker.
Amorim admitted that relegation is a “possibility” for his side earlier this month.
But with Leicester having lost seven games in a row under Van Nistelrooy, United being dragged into a dogfight looks unlikely!