Manchester United’s Frustrations Against Chelsea

A Tough Task for Ruben Amorim

As Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, reflects on the team’s performance in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Old Trafford, he underscores the challenges awaiting new manager Ruben Amorim. Having watched from Lisbon, Amorim will have grasped the scale of the task ahead, as United struggled under interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy following the departure of Erik ten Hag.

Despite their efforts, this match highlighted a profound lack of quality and creativity in the squad. United currently sits 13th in the Premier League table with just 12 points, marking their worst start after 10 matches since the 1986-87 season. The team has managed to score only nine goals, their lowest tally since 1973-74, raising concerns about their attacking capabilities.

“This was not a bad United display, but all the perspiration expended could not cover up the shortage of inspiration.”

An Underwhelming Attack

The goal for United came from a penalty taken by Fernandes after a rare moment of opportunity. The attacking trio of Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho have collectively scored just four league goals this season. Their expected goals (xG) reflect poor performance: Garnacho at 0.4, Rashford at 0.2, and Hojlund at a mere 0.0.

United has seen only two first-half goals in the league this season, which ties for the fewest alongside Crystal Palace. This lack of offensive production will be one of Amorim’s primary concerns as he evaluates his new squad.

A Need for Change

While goalkeeper Andre Onana has emerged as a successful signing amid a series of poor acquisitions, Amorim will need to rebuild significantly. The dysfunctional recruitment strategy at United was evident in the performance of Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, who scored their equalizer after previously being overlooked by United during his time at Independiente del Valle.

Amorim faces crucial decisions about his staff, including whether to retain Van Nistelrooy, who is relishing his interim role despite limited success on the pitch. With substantial investment needed for better players and effective recruitment strategies, Amorim’s job is undeniably daunting.

As he prepares to take over at Carrington, Amorim must act swiftly to address these glaring deficiencies—an essential step towards restoring Manchester United’s former glory.