Another defeat for Manchester United, and the resulting noisy, inevitable debate. Is coach Ruben Amorim really the right person for the hot seat at Old Trafford?
Criticism from the outside grew, while inside the Man United top flight, the board remained patient with the Portuguese captain, despite widespread disappointment in the club's instability.
Amorim has repeatedly affirmed that he is not concerned about the possibility of being sacked. However, the Portuguese strategist clearly understands that the result must be improved significantly and quickly if he wants to continue in office.
According to British media, Amorim still receives support from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was eager to give his first manager a full season to prove his ability. Notably, the "Red Devils" spent more than 200 million pounds in the summer transfer window to serve the team building plan according to his philosophy.
Despite mixed reports, sources confirmed that Man United's board have not put Amorim on the list of candidates to replace him. Under the management of INEOS, they are determined to pursue a long-term vision in all decisions - from player transfers, investment in facilities to coaching staff. It is easy to understand that M.U will not react hastily to each individual failure.
Amorim's problem lies in the result. The exciting victory over Chelsea was quickly overshadowed by a 1-3 defeat to Brentford. After 33 matches of Amorim's leadership, Man United have only won 34 points and have not had 2 consecutive victories during his 11 months in charge.
Man United is not actively looking for a new coach. However, like any professional team, they always maintain a backup plan in case the head coach leaves. Therefore, it would be naive to think that the M.U board does not have any plans in mind.
In August, after a humiliating defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, Amorim confided: "Sometimes I want to retire". However, he also shared: "Sometimes I want to stay for another 20 years".
In fact, at Old Trafford at the moment, every final decision is in Ratcliffe's hands. And his current level of patience will not last forever.
Meanwhile, the club's legends have continuously expressed their disappointment. Wayne Rooney was blunt in saying he "didn't believe" Amorim could turn things around. Gary Neville also admitted for the first time that Man United players were "really skeptical" about Amorim's system.
Crystal Palace have proven that a team chosen scientifically can be successful. Coach Oliver Glasner deployed a stable 3-4-2-1 formation and brought home both the FA Cup and Community Shield titles, after defeating Liverpool.
Palace's achievements are proof of the feasibility of the 3-defender formation, but also highlight the "Red Devils'" inadequacy. Palace are flying high in third place, while Man United are only in 14th place.
The season is still long, with only 6 matches passed, but Amorim is in dire need of his system to be effective. Along with that, there are growing doubts about the Portuguese strategist's decision-making ability.
There is currently no specific timeline for Amorim to correct his mistakes. However, it is increasingly clear that the next match against Sunderland at Old Trafford will become a must-win match for the home team.
