Ruben Amorim breathed a sigh of relief as the FIFA Days series in September began, temporarily suspending the Premier League rotation so he could have more time to change. From a humiliating defeat to Grimsby Town in the League Cup, a disappointing draw with Fulham and a regrettable loss to Arsenal, followed by a tense victory over Burnley in the last minute, all showed that the "Red Devils" have not yet found a stable rhythm.
United will return to play at the Etihad in the Manchester Derby, before hosting Chelsea just a week later. This is a turning point to reshape the season. Not participating in the European Cup and being eliminated early in the League Cup will give Amorim more time on the training ground, but he needs to quickly make decisive changes.
Giving Sesko a chance
What is confusing for many fans is that Benjamin Sesko has not started a single Premier League match. He has come on from the bench three times, plus his lackluster performance in the League Cup has put the Slovenia striker under a lot of pressure.
Amorim explained that missing the pre-season has caused Sesko to not be in the best physical condition. However, now, after playing all two matches of the Slovenia team against Sweden and Switzerland, there is no reason to delay.
Against Man City, a team with fragile psychological signs, Sesko's speed and strength will be an important weapon. He could stretch the defence, opening up space for Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes to exploit. If Amorim does not dare to put his trust in Sesko in the Derby, what does it mean to spend a lot to bring him to Old Trafford?
In bad luck, there is luck from Matheus Cunha's injury
Matheus Cunha's injury in the match against Burnley caused Man United to lose an energetic and creative player. However, this opened up an opportunity to bring Bruno Fernandes back to his best position.
Last season, when he was pushed up and played near the penalty area, Bruno quickly regained his goal-scoring instinct and created a breakthrough. Amorim himself admitted: "We remember the image of Bruno playing near the goal" after the defeat in the Europa League final, when the M.U captain was pushed too far back.
Now, with Cunha and possibly Mason Mount absent, the most likely solution is to have Bruno side with Mbeumo behind Sesko in the attack formation. This is a formula to help the Portuguese star explode again, bringing goals and assists, which is very necessary for an ineffective attack since the beginning of the season.
Kobbie Mainoo is an important link
The image of Garnacho, Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo celebrating on a billboard once symbolized the bright future of Man United. Now, only Mainoo remains at Old Trafford. He even asked to leave on loan twice but the team was determined to keep him.
Cunha's injury and Bruno being pushed up open up the central midfield position. This is the time for Amorim to give Mainoo a real chance. The 20-year-old star not only has great potential, he also has the "DNA Manchester Derby". Mainoo himself scored the decisive goal in the 2024 FA Cup final against Man City.
Mainoo should not be just a fire extinguishing method. He needs to be given key responsibility throughout the season, becoming a new pillar of the midfield. Amorim must heal the relationship and exploit the midfielder's full potential, starting from the battle at the Etihad.
Man United entered September with many doubts and pressures. Ruben Amorim was forced to make bold decisions such as placing his trust in Sesko, returning Bruno to his position, bravely giving Lammens a chance and turning Mainoo into the center in midfield.
The Manchester Derby is not only an honorary match, it is also a test to see if Amorim really finds the "Red Devils" revival formula or not? In the context of the newly started season, the right choices at this time could become a turning point, shaping the entire journey ahead of Manchester United.
