Manchester United’s Nosedive: Is Ruben Amorim’s Stubborn Streak Leading to Old Trafford’s Ultimate Downfall?

Well, well, well. Here we are again, watching Manchester United get absolutely demolished in another Manchester Derby, and honestly? I’m not even surprised anymore. Sunday’s 3-0 thrashing at the Etihad wasn’t just a defeat—it was a masterclass in how to make your fans question their life choices.

Ruben Amorim, bless his Portuguese heart, seems more determined to stick to his guns than a Wild West sheriff facing down bandits. After watching his team get picked apart like a Thanksgiving turkey, his response was essentially: “This is fine. Everything is fine.” Spoiler alert: it’s not fine.

Amorim’s Defiant Stand Against Reality

The Manchester United boss made it crystal clear that he won’t be changing his beloved 3-4-3 formation anytime soon. “When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man,” Amorim declared with the confidence of someone who clearly hasn’t been watching his own team play.

It’s almost admirable, really. Like watching the captain of the Titanic insist the ship isn’t sinking while water floods the deck. Amorim‘s unwavering commitment to his tactical approach would be inspiring if it wasn’t so painfully obvious that it’s not working.

Since taking over in November, the Portuguese manager has overseen just eight wins in 31 Premier League games. Let that sink in for a moment. Eight wins. In thirty-one games. At Manchester United. That’s not a record that screams “tactical genius”—it screams “maybe we should try something else.”

The Numbers Don’t Lie (Unlike Hope)

Manchester United currently sit with their worst start to a league season since 1992-93. Now, before anyone gets misty-eyed about that comparison—yes, that season ended with United winning their first Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson. But here’s the thing: Amorim isn’t Ferguson, and this isn’t 1992.

The Red Devils have managed to score a whopping four goals in the Premier League this season. Four. And here’s the kicker—two were own goals by opponents, and one came from the penalty spot. So technically, Manchester United have scored one goal from open play in four Premier League matches. One. Goal.

Benjamin Sesko, the £74 million summer signing who was supposed to solve their scoring problems, looked about as threatening as a chocolate teapot in his first start. The guy managed to make Erling Haaland look like he was playing a different sport entirely.

The Derby Disaster Breakdown

Sunday’s match was less “Manchester Derby” and more “Manchester Charity Event” with United playing the role of generous donors. Phil Foden opened the scoring after Jeremy Doku turned Luke Shaw into a traffic cone, and from there it was all downhill for the visitors.

Haaland, meanwhile, was having the time of his life. The Norwegian bulldozer scored twice and could have had more, leaving United’s defense looking like they’d rather be anywhere else. Harry Maguire got embarrassed, Shaw got bullied, and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir looked like he was questioning his career choices.

The most telling moment? When City fans started singing Amorim’s name—not in support, but in mocking tribute to the chant United fans created earlier this year. It was savage, brilliant, and absolutely devastating.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Expensive Gamble

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the INEOS chief who helped orchestrate Amorim’s appointment, was reportedly seen with his head in his hands during the match. Sitting in front of a scowling Sir Alex Ferguson, Ratcliffe probably felt the weight of every penny of the £200 million invested in new signings this summer.

The irony is delicious. Dan Ashworth, the former sporting director who expressed reservations about Amorim’s rigid tactical approach, was pushed out. Now he’s looking like the smartest guy who’s no longer in the room while the current hierarchy watches their expensive experiment crumble.

The Stubborn Truth About Manchester United

Here’s what’s frustrating for United fans: Amorim isn’t just failing—he’s failing with absolute conviction. He’s doubling down on his methods while his team serves up performance after dismal performance. It’s like watching someone repeatedly walk into a glass door and insisting the problem is with the building.

The Portuguese manager claims he’s “suffering more than the fans,” which is a bold statement considering United supporters have been enduring this slow-motion car crash for months. But hey, at least he’s committed to his philosophy, right?

Manchester United’s current trajectory under Amorim isn’t just concerning—it’s genuinely alarming. When your most likely outcome in any Premier League match is a defeat, you’ve got problems that go beyond tactical tweaks. You’ve got fundamental issues that require either dramatic change or a dramatic change of personnel.

The question now isn’t whether Manchester United can turn things around under Amorim—it’s whether they can afford to keep him long enough to find out. Because right now, the only thing more predictable than a United defeat is Amorim’s insistence that everything will work out if he just keeps doing exactly what he’s been doing.

And that, dear readers, is the definition of insanity.