Manchester United finds itself teetering near the relegation zone, with their struggles intensifying under head coach Ruben Amorim. Since taking charge in November, Amorim has been unable to inspire the turnaround often seen with new managerial appointments. His record stands at six defeats, four wins, and one draw from 11 matches, leaving the team languishing in 14th place with just 22 points. The coach admitted post-match that relegation is a real threat and that drastic measures may be necessary to salvage the season.
The match against Newcastle showcased the depth of United’s problems. The 3-4-3 formation once again proved ineffective, and the decision to substitute Joshua Zirkzee after just 30 minutes highlighted the team’s tactical disarray. Marcus Rashford’s inclusion in the squad, despite his public desire to leave the club, added another layer of confusion to Amorim’s approach. The coach’s insistence on sticking to his “idea” appears increasingly misguided as losses mount and player morale wanes.
Newcastle wasted no time exploiting United’s vulnerabilities, taking the lead within four minutes. Alexander Isak capitalized on poor defending to score with a header, exposing the frailties of United’s backline, which included experienced players like Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Lisandro Martínez. Newcastle’s second goal came from Joelinton, who rose unchallenged to head home after Anthony Gordon’s excellent work on the wing. United’s midfield, featuring the aging duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, was unable to compete with Newcastle’s dynamic trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães.
The tactical decisions from Amorim raised further questions. Despite injuries to key midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, the coach opted against fielding 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, choosing instead to rely on the older legs of Casemiro and Eriksen. This decision left United exposed in midfield, allowing Newcastle to dominate possession and create chances with ease.
Newcastle continued to threaten throughout the first half, with Tonali hitting the post and Kieran Trippier’s set pieces causing problems for United’s defense. Amorim’s decision to substitute Zirkzee for Mainoo midway through the first half was an acknowledgment of his initial lineup’s failure, but it did little to stem the tide.
United showed brief signs of life in the second half, with Rasmus Højlund earning a corner and Harry Maguire hitting the post with a diving header. However, these moments of promise were fleeting, and the team lacked the cutting edge needed to mount a comeback. Substitutions, including the introductions of Alejandro Garnacho and Antony, failed to provide the necessary spark.
Newcastle, in contrast, displayed cohesion and confidence, securing their first league win at Old Trafford in over a decade. Isak, in fine form, expressed his delight at the result, describing it as the perfect way to end the year. For United, however, the performance underscored the severity of their predicament. Without significant changes, the threat of relegation looms large.
