Manchester United fans are firmly behind Ruben Amorim and understand the situation he finds himself in, midway through one of the worst seasons in the club's history. The Portuguese coach is making brave calls, none more so than being the one to send Marcus Rashford packing, with the English forward joining Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season.
Talk of Rashford's move came amid United's miserable 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday (February 2). French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta grabbed a double on the day while Amorim opted to start his Red Devils XI without a number nine with English midfielder Kobbie Mainoo the focal point of the attack.
Was Amorim sending a message to INEOS regarding the desperate need for a new centre-forward before Monday's deadline day? Who knows, but it was a costly decision as his side lacked any real threat and while Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have been toothless, they are still forwards who play with a goalscoring instinct.
Give him players @INEOS. pic.twitter.com/tZ68rcs9uv
— Frank🧠🇵🇹 (fan) (@AmorimEra_) February 2, 2025
Ruben Amorim got it wrong against Crystal Palace
The Mainoo experiment took a new twist on the weekend when he was named in a false 9 role and he hit the post early on in a bright start. The 19-year-old faded as the game petered on and after a man-of-the-match outing as a number 10 against Romanian outfit FCSB midweek, you have to ponder why Amorim didn't continue him in such a role.
It's clear United need a new striker because Hojlund and Zirkzee have just five goals in the Premier League between them. INEOS have made two signings this window, bringing Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven to Old Trafford.
Manchester United were impressive in a 2-0 win against FCSB in Bucharest but there was a feeling that the same old story would ensue when they turned their attention to Palace. That's just what happened and this time it was Amorim who had nobody else to blame but himself for a ridiculous team selection.
What Is INEOS' Plan?
The Old Trafford faithful were excited when they headed into last summer's transfer window with INEOS overseeing recruitment. Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte arrived and this came while Erik ten Hag was in charge.
Three months into the season and INEOS pulled the plug on Ten Hag after a disappointing run of results. A month later the Red Devils' new co-owners parted ways with sporting director Dan Ashworth, perhaps making the Englishman the fall guy for their decision to keep Ten Hag on beyond last season.
🚨🗣️ Paul Scholes on INEOS:
— 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱 ✯ (@UnitedAlex7) January 23, 2025
They have been in charge [of Manchester United] for nearly a year now and everything is still negative. I can’t think of something positive that they’ve done for the football club.
Things are getting worse on the football pitch so couldn’t they have… pic.twitter.com/zIMLbW4Uug
Amorim's appointment again enthused fans with many expecting an immediate new-manager bounce or at least return to the top half of the Premier League table. That hasn't happened with the Portuguese walking into an untenable situation with regards to a squad who are perhaps, as he put, 'one of the worst in the club's history'.
If a new striker doesn't arrive on deadline day, then it's safe to say that INEOS have failed Amorim after failing the fanbase with ridiculous decisions ahead of the season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe said, 'Difficult decisions will have to be made', but that's all well and good without clarifying the steps that the club must take to get back on the road to glory. They're lucky we United fans are as proud and loyal as we are.