Ruben Amorim says he has “no idea” how long it will take to turn around Manchester United’s fortunes after his side suffered a fourth defeat in five Premier league games at Wolves.
After last week’s chaotic Carabao Cup quarter-final exit at Tottenham was compounded by an Old Trafford humbling at the hands of Bournemouth, things went further awry as they fell to a third straight loss.
United captain Bruno Fernandes’s red card for a second booking changed the dynamics of the match shortly after half-time, with Matheus Cunha scoring direct from a corner at a rocking Molineux.
Wolves’ star man teed up substitute Hee-Chan Hwang to wrap up a 2-0 win deep in stoppage time as Amorim’s 10th match in charge ended in a fifth defeat, leaving them 14th in the Premier League table.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United
“The idea needs time,” United’s head coach said. “I said it before to you guys that this will be a tough moment and we are far from the end of this moment and that’s it.
“We have to continue and focus on the next game.”
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Following Manchester United’s 2-0 loss to Wolves, Sky Sports News’ Adam Bate and Danyal Khan discuss whether the club is in a crisis.
Asked how long he thinks it will take to make his mark, Amorim said: “I have no idea. No idea. Instead of me trying to understand how much time it will take, just day by day.
“Improving, trying to see the videos, using every minute of training and try to win some points because it’s really important in this moment.”
United are closer in points to the drop zone than the Champions League places heading into their final match of a topsy-turvy 2024 at home to in-form Newcastle.
“In this moment, we just have to survive and to win some time to work on the team,” Amorim said.
“We already knew it. I start this job and you start with the team, a new idea, without any time to train, with a lot of games, tough games.
“We already knew it, so it’s a long journey, like I said in the first day. We have to continue, and we have to fight these bad moments because this is part of football.”
Put to Amorim that he cannot think of European qualification right now, he said: “No. We have to work on a lot of things in our club – inside the pitch, outside the pitch – so let’s focus on each game, each time and use every minute of training and game to improve the team.”
The damning stats behind Amorim’s start as Man Utd boss
Amorim is the first Manchester United manager to lose as many as five of his first 10 games in charge of the club
Manchester United have lost four of their last five games in the Premier League, as many defeats as in their previous 15 matches in the competition (won seven, drawn four). Indeed, only Everton and Southampton (both nine) have failed to score in more different games this season than their seven.
Amorim is the first Manchester United manager to lose as many as five of his first 10 games in charge of the club in all competitions since Walter Crickmer in January 1932 (six/10).
No side has conceded more goals from corners in the Premier League this season than Manchester United (nine – level with Wolves). Indeed, it’s the second goal the Red Devils have conceded directly from a corner in the competition after Junior Stanislas for Bournemouth in December 2015.
Bruno Fernandes is the first Manchester United player to be sent off three times in a season in all competitions since Nemanja Vidic in 2008-09 (also three).
Man Utd looking long term but issues need addressing now
Bruno Fernandes is sent off by referee Tony Harrington
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Adam Bate at Molineux:
The red card to Bruno Fernandes obviously offered mitigating circumstances and there was enough tension inside Molineux to believe that Manchester United might conjure an equaliser until very late in the game. But the 2-0 defeat to Wolves was still alarming.
Another stuttering display, another goal conceded directly from a corner let alone from a set-piece situation. Much of the focus at United is now long term but that is something that Amorim must address quickly to avoid this season going from bad to worse.
Asked how long it would take for his principles of play to take hold, Amorim suggested he had no idea. In a game that started with both Portuguese coaches adopting a 3-4-2-1 formation, it was the Wolves players who looked more comfortable with that system.
Even when the game was 11 against 11, United lacked zip, moving the ball far too slowly to take advantage against opponents who began the game in the bottom three. Amorim will be more convinced than ever that wholesale changes are required for next season.
But next season looks a long way away if United continue to play like this. It is Newcastle next then back-to-back away games against Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League and FA Cup, respectively. This could get messier before it gets better.