Despite more than a year in charge at Man Utd, the jury remains out on Ruben Amorim, but he deserves backing because he’s fixed the club’s aching weakness from last season.
When it comes to the discussion about last season at Man Utd, mum’s the word, especially for weaknesses, because there were plenty.
United had their worst-ever Premier League finish, and ending the season trophyless meant there was a genuine case of Ruben Amorim getting sacked last season itself.
Are you confident Ruben Amorim is the right head coach for Man Utd?
However, Ineos kept faith, and while he hasn’t unilaterally silenced all doubters, far from it, in fact, one aching weakness already being fixed shows he deserves backing.
Ruben Amorim has got Man Utd’s attack flying
Considering last season as a measuring stick for any positive statistic comes with its own set of asterisks, but even taking that into account, United’s attack is flying.
Last season, United finished the season with just 44 goals, which was the 16th-lowest number ahead of Everton and the three relegated teams.
Through 18 games this season, United have already scored 32, and at their current rate, should surpass last season’s tally with more than ten games to go.
Granted, Amorim received Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko in the summer, but if there’s one club where spending money isn’t a guarantee of success, it’s Man Utd.
Amorim has managed to do all this despite missing Cunha and Sesko more than a month combined, and Mbeumo is out for AFCON now.
This number needs to be so much higher! Cunha and Mbeumo have great potential together!
If Cunha and Mbeumo were on the pitch together for 75% or more of our total minutes, what position would we be in the Premier League table?
This shows that the improvement has come internally, with the likes of Casemiro and Mason Mount impressive, in particular.
That attacking transformation has come at the cost of a leaky defence, as United have conceded 28, but coaching the attack is undoubtedly more difficult than setting up a low block with no space between the lines.
Even in Erik ten Hag’s first season, when United finished third, they were the lowest-scoring team among the top-six, getting 58 in the league.
United are set to beat that tally this season, especially as Amorim gets his attackers back and they start gelling with each other.
If nothing else, the attacking improvement alone is cause enough to back Amorim for now.
Shoots of growth elsewhere at Man Utd
Beyond the attack firing, there are shoots of growth worth backing elsewhere as well.
Despite the current injury situation, Amorim’s scientific and cautious approach to sports science has ensured players return from injuries quicker and stay fit for longer.
There are no recurring problems either, as he is proactive in getting ahead of the issue before it becomes chronic.
An intangible improvement has been the cultural reset, with the squad looking at an altogether happier place this season despite facing setbacks.
There’s no drama, at least manufactured in-house, as the players have largely toed the line of staying professional and not airing dirty laundry in public.
With a couple of additions and tightening of the defence, Amorim can really take this team somewhere.
In the meantime, enjoy the most proficient scoring United side since Ole’s Red Devils scored 73 in the 2020/21 season.
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