After a big win in the Manchester derby on December 15, not much has gone right for Ruben Amorim and Manchester United since then. The Red Devils lost four games in a row and were left out in three of them. It will not be any easier to compete against the leader in Arne Slot’s Liverpool on Sunday. After Mohamed Salah’s seventeen goals and thirteen assists, Liverpool’s lead is six points as they sit at zero for the Premier League title.
The professionalism of this team is in stark contrast to what United are currently going through. Although Marcus Rashford has returned to the side after being left out of the squad for four consecutive games, that doesn’t mean all is well at Old Trafford. Amorim has a tough job ahead of him to keep this squad stable as these teams showcase the differences he and Slot have inherited in their respective teams.
While it’s not fair to compare a manager who took over from a legend to start the season with someone trying to save the house Erik ten Hag built, it shows how different the challenges of Slot and Amorim are. It’s no surprise that Amorim inherited a shaky foundation; it has been that way at United for some time, and that is why he has indicated that this could be a painful process.
There is growth for United, but he is no magician either. The January transfer window could bring in new faces, but given concerns over wages and squad size at United, United may have to sell to make any signings that can make a difference. Time waits for no one, especially not at United, and that’s why this match is crucial.
It’s one thing if United were in mediocre form, but they are being played off the park by whoever is in the center of midfield. Key players like Bruno Fernandes are being suspended instead of solving that problem, leaving Amorim with not much to work with. Losing a fifth game by multiple goals will raise questions about what Amorim can do to turn this side around, but it is more a testament to Slot’s big red machine at Anfield and shows how you can build momentum quickly.
If he were to step into Jurgen Klopp’s shoes, Slot could have buckled under the pressure, but instead he has retooled Liverpool’s setup to make it easier to repeat good performances than under their former boss. Even Liverpool’s most recent defeat to Nottingham Forest looks very different now that Forest are third in the league. It will not be an easy task to continue these performances, but if Liverpool can do so, it will result in lifting the Premier League title.
United may be closer to the relegation zone than to a European spot, but if there is a saving grace for the season it is the Europa League. That win could still earn a crucial Champions League spot and something to show that Amroim is moving the team in the right direction. The squad is nowhere near where they need to be to dream of that, but facing Liverpool and living to tell the tale is something that can give confidence in a season that hasn’t even come close to an average season.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday January 5 | Time: 11:30 am ET
- Location: Anfield-Liverpool, England
- TV: NBC | Live stream: Fubo TV (Try for free)
- Chances: Liverpool 360; Sign +450; Manchester United +900