If anyone needed reminding of the problems at Manchester United after the results against Liverpool and Arsenal, the two results following those have given it.
Amad saved Man Utd against Southampton but there were no heroics to be seen against Brighton, who condemned United to a 3-1 defeat.
Ruben Amorim tore into his team after the game, even deeming it the worst United side in history and on the basis of the records they’re breaking weekly, it’s hard to argue, especially in the Premier League era.
A lot of it is down to a gaping hole in a key position and to make matters worse, United are now playing a dangerous game with their stance on it.
Man Utd’s double departure will leave Ruben Amorim handicapped
United’s January transfer window hasn’t yet kicked into gear and that is down to their precarious financial position but that still doesn’t excuse a lack of planning.
There is a gaping hole at the left-sided wing-back position, a place where Diogo Dalot gives it his all but it couldn’t be more obvious that a lack of fit is hampering the system.
The left wing-back is arguably the most important position to make Ruben Amorim’s system work due to the overlapping option it provides, contrary to the inverted wing-back on the right.
United were already short-staffed in that area but they seem determined to leave Amorim further handicapped by sanctioning the departures of two players.
Nobody is mistaking Antony and Tyrell Malacia for game-changers or “saviours” but at least they are bodies to throw on the pitch if only to rest first-choice players.
Now, with Malacia potentially leaving on loan and Antony close to Real Betis, United will be in a position where their first-choice duo of Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot will be their only options at wing-back.
Mazraoui has also started showing signs of fatigue and if United’s transfer plans come through, he’ll be running on empty soon.
Man Utd deja vu in the market
It is possible, even probable, that United get at least one replacement if/when Malacia and Antony leave the club but all this has got a sense of deja vu.
Amorim wanted to join Old Trafford in the summer but was given a deadline of “now or never”, the result of which is that far from the new manager bounce, United have reached new lows.
He’s working on a squad that is not his, working at a club that can’t afford to help him, and working with the players who’ve caused multiple sackings.
Turning around Manchester United was always a gargantuan task. United’s stance off the pitch, be it with their manager or their transfers, has made it so that Amorim is trying to do it with one hand tied behind his back.
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