Manchester United remain the most successful team in Premier League history. However, they have not been the same for over a decade. The recent 0-2 loss to Newcastle in round 19 of the Premier League highlighted their decline.
United’s current central midfield pairing of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen will both turn 33 in February next year, but they may already be feeling a lot older as they chase the shadow of Newcastle’s Joelinton (28) and Bruno Guimaraes (27).
Red Devils coach Ruben Amorim would certainly like to have such strong and physical players in his weak squad. The Old Trafford team were completely dominated by the Magpies in the first half when Alexander Isak and Joelinton scored important goals.
However, it is not just the older players in the United squad who are having trouble. Just four years ago, Joshua Zirkzee was 19 and had won the treble with Bayern Munich. Yet the Dutch striker struggled to control the ball against Newcastle.
"It's easy to judge a team before and after a game to see how effective they are. I know Joshua Zirkzee hasn't been at his best yet, but I want him to play with more power.
We know we are weak in dealing with set pieces but at the moment Man United are facing too many problems and cannot focus on solving each one" - Amorim said after the loss to Newcastle.
Zirkzee was substituted after just 33 minutes to a roar from the United fans as he left the pitch. Amorim brought on 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo and United immediately looked better. The Englishman bolstered the midfield and at least gave the hosts a fighting chance.
However, it was ultimately Newcastle's night as they claimed their fifth consecutive win - something that heartbroken United fans could hardly have dreamed of.
The Red Devils lifted their 20th Premier League title in 2013, but have yet to win another trophy since. Amorim has a huge task on his hands to make the Red Devils competitive, let alone champions.
"I will continue with my ideals, if they want me to change then it's best they change the coach. That's my choice for football and I will continue to do it my way until the end" - the Portuguese strategist added.
