United View: Reds suffer derby day defeat

Ruben Amorim has made it clear that he isn’t going to change following Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat at the Etihad on Sunday.

It was a damning defeat that left fans feeling frustrated that, despite all the changes this summer, there are still deep-rooted issues at the club.

Amorim suggested that all the goals were easily avoidable, saying, “If you look at the goals, we can avoid those goals. That was the biggest difference. We can do better, especially the second goal. We suffered goals we can avoid. The biggest difference was when we had transitions, we didn’t score. In the second half, they did better in transition, and we suffered in that moment.”

United had moments in the first half, when their press was effective and had the chance to do damage to City, but their decision-making in the final third cost them. And when Jeremy Doku drove into the box, Phil Foden was left completely unmarked, despite there being seven red shirts inside the box.

This sloppiness ultimately cost United, especially with City’s third, as a complete mix-up at the back led to Erling Haaland’s second goal of the game. The Reds garnered some threat once they were three goals down, but still were unable to score.

Having Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha out did not help United, although City also had their fair share of injuries, if not worse. Nevertheless, it’s hard not to think that Amorim got it wrong, both in the squad selection and in his lateness in making changes.

Kobbie Mainoo, who has come under all sorts of speculation regarding his future, looked good when he came on as a substitute. It would be interesting to see him start from the beginning, especially as it appears Bruno Fernandes is hindered by being tasked with playing deeper in midfield.

Amorim was adamant that the issues don’t lie solely with the midfield, and says he is ‘suffering more’ than fans, as he wants to win football matches, something that United struggled with last season and has continued for the start of this campaign.

United’s underlying numbers have looked good so far this season, but that could be because teams are allowing United to have the ball, as they have yet to find any sort of rhythm in an attacking sense.

The team still needs time to build connections, yet a defeat like this so early into the season is a massive setback, one that leaves fans unsure if they will improve and with plenty of issues for Ruben Amorim’s side to fix.

One of the most frustrating things was that Pep’s side didn’t have to be particularly good, although they were the better side and deserved the win. Guardiola’s City still have some way to go before they can reach their best, but they still showcase confidence on the ball and cohesion in what is being expected of them.

The same cannot be said of United in this moment in time, and the longer that United continue to lose games, the more uncomfortable questions will come towards Amorim and whether he can turn things around at Old Trafford.

The Reds face Chelsea on Saturday, who will have faced Bayern Munich in the week. A win and performance would help to quell the scrutiny. A defeat would only further sour the mood amongst the fanbase right now.