With a 2-0 defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ruben Amorim may be starting to realize that turning things around for Manchester United is a tougher challenge than even he expected. The match was already out of hand when Bruno Fernandes was sent off with a second yellow card in the 47th minute, but things went from bad to worse. The send-off is Fernandes’ third of the season, although one suspension was revoked. Then Matheus Cunha had a goal to remember for Wolves’ winner. Hwang Hee-chan would add a dagger to take him out of sight in the 98th minute of play at the Molineux Stadium.
Cunha prepared to take a corner and leaned into his corner for an Olympic finish, as Andre Onana stood helpless in the net. It’s the second time in a week that United conceded a goal straight from a corner as dead-ball defense is something of a problem for the Red Devils, who have now dropped to 14th in the Premier League, almost as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top five.
Not counting penalties, United have allowed a whopping fourteen goals in the league from set plays in the Premier League and the EFL Cup, putting them joint top with their opponents in Wolves. Most of those have also come since Amorim coached his first game in November, with eight of the 14 goals finding the back of the net.
Although United’s defense against open play has improved over this period, there has been no overall improvement due to the increased number of set pieces allowed. It’s understandable in a way as Amorim has had to shuffle his defence, but it also requires training time that managers don’t get during a busy festive period.
Add to that Marcus Rashford missing the matchday squad for the fourth time in a row and Alejandro Garnacho having to settle for coming off the bench at this point, and it shows just how far United have to go to get back to their to become the best. The January transfer window could bring reinforcements, but it feels more like a lost season every day.
United can still make a lot of noise in the Europa League, but have only taken seven points in seven league games under Amorim since his appointment with a margin of minus three goals. Looking at what needs to change, the list is long. Rasmus Hojlund has not yet established himself as a top striker, Fernandes could be a problem, the midfield is unsettled and there is no consistent presence on the left wing and Onana is sensitive in the net.
Building blocks are being created in Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo, but that does not help enough to compensate for the problems at Old Trafford. Amorim will need a summer and perhaps even more to turn this tide, as United not only have to figure out how to bring in new players, but they also have to sell the ones they have. Achieving that will require a longer process, as announcing a forced sale destroys the influence anyone can have in the transfer market.
Every day we are reminded of how much it will take to get this legendary club back to the top, but scoring two Olympic goals in a week delays achieving that.