Manchester United lost at home to Newcastle on Monday during the nineteenth day of the Premier League (0-2). This fourth setback in a row (all competitions combined) confirms the difficulties of Ruben Amorim’s team, which has just ended the month of December by conceding a historically high number of goals and five defeats in the league.
An end to the year that feels like an ordeal. Manchester United ended its 2024 financial year with a new defeat at home against Newcastle, this Monday, during the nineteenth day of the Premier League (0-2). Lacking confidence and serenity, the Red Devils bowed to their home crowd after a lackluster performance. The Magpies quickly took advantage of the deficiencies of the Old Trafford residents to make the difference thanks to the irresistible Alexander Isak (4th), then Joelinton (19th).
Two goals which bring to eighteen the total conceded by Manchester United in their nine matches played in December. According to Opta, this is its worst defensive month since… March 1964. More than sixty years ago.
This setback against Newcastle is the fourth in a row for MU (all competitions), after the success in the derby on the field of a convalescent Manchester City (1-2). The third in a row at home, unheard of since 2015. The BBC notes that this is also the first time since 1962 that the Red Devils have been beaten five times in the league during the same month.
Enough to confirm Ruben Amorim’s difficulties since his arrival in place of Erik ten Hag, mid-November, after a brilliant start to the season with Sporting in Portugal. The Lusitanian technician only took 7 points out of 21 possible in the Premier League.
Six defeats in eleven matches for Ruben Amorim
In eleven matches, the 39-year-old coach has only won four victories, one draw and six defeats, between the championship, the Europa League and the League Cup. Beyond its poor results, his team offers an unattractive spectacle on the pitch. “We are looking at the worst football club in the country, all divisions combined. They are so bad,” Gary Neville, the former glory of the Red Devils, said on Sky Sports at half-time of the match against the Magpies.
Now fourteenth in the championship, 23 points behind leader Liverpool, 13 points from the qualifying places in the Champions League and 7 points from the red zone, Ruben Amorim and Manchester United will have to quickly raise their level to avoid falling into crisis. Especially since the calendar has two big shocks in store for them: in Liverpool’s lair, Sunday in the league (5:30 p.m.), then on the Arsenal pitch, on January 12 in the FA Cup (4 p.m.).
