Ruben Amorim | 2025-26

TheReligion said:
What were you asking then? How can City do it but United can’t?

I’ve just explained the answer. In fact the team we just played couldn’t integrate any of their new players that well yesterday despite the result. Mbuemo and Cunha were head and shoulders above Zubamendi and Gyokeres.
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I asked if United would have scored 4 against Wolves if we'd have played them. Maybe, maybe not.

Cunha played well as did Mbuemo but neither, yesterday or in preseason, have contributed any goals unless I've forgotten. We need output to progress from last season, not just playing well. One of the criticism from last season was not being able to score when we did dominate and have control. I agree we controlled yesterday fairly well but with not real threat.
 
Danny said:
I asked if United would have scored 4 against Wolves if we'd have played them. Maybe, maybe not.

Cunha played well as did Mbuemo but neither, yesterday or in preseason, have contributed any goals unless I've forgotten. We need output to progress from last season, not just playing well. One of the criticism from last season was not being able to score when we did dominate and have control. I agree we controlled yesterday fairly well but with not real threat.
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Sorry but I’m struggling to see what your point is.

You say United can’t integrate their signings well yet you agree United’s new signings played better than Arsenal’s yesterday?

You then ask would United have scored 4 v Wolves and complain City can integrate signings better than United. Ignoring the fact they have a manager that’s been at the club years, a settled squad and style.

What is the point you’re making.
 
Zumbi said:
City finished third last year and started that game against Wolves with a frontline who have played for them for years. The only new to the PL player that started that game for them was Reijnders. City were already 3-0 up when Cherki came in.

The majority of our frontline against Arsenal are brand new to the club, and were playing without a proper 9 ahead of them.

Do you honestly think that’s a fair and reasonable comparison?
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Oscar Bobb hasn't played for City for years as such and he looked really good at the weekend. Cherki came in and had an immediate impact from the bench (yes okay a different scenario to us chasing a game). Reijnders played well and had an impact too.

Of course City are more established but I do wonder how long the excuse of not settling in will hinder us. Again, just an opinion.
 
Shades of the Ole and ETH's threads before their inevitable demise where the criticism was shut down for 'not believing', 'being negative', 'he's been dealt a bad hand' excuses etc. I remember just putting my head in the sand, taking a break from the forum and avoided replying too much unless I had something more unique to say, which was usually some form of criticism anyways because our results and performances were so bad.

We're in a much better position now and I am definitely way more optimistic than those periods but for me, it's mostly based on the things off the pitch that Amorim to his credit and the board have done. Namely, profile of transfers in, intended departures out, fitness and the structure of the footballing departments. So far, Amorim has talked a way better game off the pitch than on it, which is a shame as I like a lot of what he says but other than having better players on the pitch, who no surprise play better (individually), I have still not seen enough. Enough being the prerogative word here because it's not that I haven't noticed the intended approach, it's I haven't seen more of a sustained and organised method towards it.

With much more time for players to recover and train now in midweek, he absolutely needs to be batting away half of the teams in the league with relatively 'ease' i.e not necessarily 3-0 wins but comfortable-ish one or two goal margins. If he can then pick up points in the harder games away from home and some wins, he really should be looking at a minimum top 6 finish especially with the size and quality of the squad barring no injuries. If we meander to our way to a top 8 finish but don't look convincing in our play, the same way Ole and ETH did then that would signify he just doesn't have the tactical and coaching acumen to get us where we want to be other than just buying better players than the opposition.
 
Danny said:
The system isn't bad as such but this insistence of having to wait for players to settle. City had a few new players come in to the team (not from the PL) at the weekend and delivered from the off. Do you think we would have put 4 past Wolves if we'd have played them?

Expectations are really low around the club and results currently but I really want Amorim to deliver this season.
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As in settle I mean once they all understand each others game. I mean Mbeumo and Cunha created a lot as it is against Arsenal but the more chemistry they all get the better we’ll be as a team and the more goals we’ll score. A very enjoyable game despite losing against one of the title favourites.
 
Danny said:
It isn't being negative at all, just realistic. I stand by then fact that barely any of these "chances" were any that you wouldn't expect Raya to concede from. That isn't a radical suggestion.

Of course if Cunha had of scored from that tight angle it would be surprising. It's my opinion.

I haven't commented on how we pressed and yes it was very good in comparison to what we usually produce which is why I've said we looked to improved. And yes, I think Arsenal can and will play much better that they did yesterday. I think they also gambled on the fact they could sit in and defend and we would find it hard to score- which is how the game played out.
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IMO it wouldn't have been surprising, the reflexes to get down that low by Raya was outstanding, Cunha expected to score as you can see from his reaction
 
Red in STL said:
IMO it wouldn't have been surprising, the reflexes to get down that low by Raya was outstanding, Cunha expected to score as you can see from his reaction
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I think he is referring to the scuffed shot after the run he made through the middle of arsenals defence.
 
Big Ben Foster said:
The fact that Vidic and Evra (who signed almost 20 years ago) are universally used as the examples for this kind of proves my point.
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It proves your point that players don't need time to adjust? Erm.

The reason those two might be the ones that spring to mind is that they both arrived at the same time, and both went on to become huge players for the club. I've given you the example of Dan James as a player that people were raving about after his first couple of months and turned out to be shite. Anthony would be another even more recent example with 3 goals in his first 3 games for the club. Every player is different, as is the wider context of the club/team at the time they join. It's seems strange for a 'supporter' of a football club to not be prepared to give new signings time to settle in before judging them.
 
Danny said:
Oscar Bobb hasn't played for City for years as such and he looked really good at the weekend. Cherki came in and had an immediate impact from the bench (yes okay a different scenario to us chasing a game). Reijnders played well and had an impact too.

Of course City are more established but I do wonder how long the excuse of not settling in will hinder us. Again, just an opinion.
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He’s been there years and came through their youth set up! You said “new players” and he is a not a new player. He’s been around the club for years. None of their starting front three from that game are new players. So your original comparison is a poor one.

Comparing Cherki coming on when they’re three nil up against Wolves to Mbeumo and Cunha playing against a settled Arsenal defence at 1-0 is an asinine comparison. At least try and make comparisons that make some kind of sense.

As other posters have pointed out, you’re also ignoring the fact that Mbeumo and Cunha looked far more dangerous and impactful than Arsenal’s new signings did yesterday.
 
Posh Red said:
I think he is referring to the scuffed shot after the run he made through the middle of arsenals defence.
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He was referencing the tight angle one - which is what I highlighted and responded to
 
TheReligion said:
Sorry but I’m struggling to see what your point is.

You say United can’t integrate their signings well yet you agree United’s new signings played better than Arsenal’s yesterday?

You then ask would United have scored 4 v Wolves and complain City can integrate signings better than United. Ignoring the fact they have a manager that’s been at the club years, a settled squad and style.

What is the point you’re making.
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My original comment was about United not creating many obvious goalscoring opportunities, apart from Mbuemo's header.

How long should it take to have a settled play style, maybe this where we differ. I think it is a reasonable expectation for the current squad to have adjusted by now with only two additions start the match.

It doesn't matter to City's new signings how long Pep has been at the club they still have to come in and adjust to his system, just like our new signings. They had goalscoring contributions at the weekend already.

The secondary point is the insistent need for player to have to settle. Afterall Cunha and Mbuemo should be more suited than most having already had PL experience. They played well and I expect more is to follow.

United played well and will improve.
 
Posh Red said:
Perhaps he will correct me but having re-read the posts, I think you may both me thinking or different attempts.
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Maybe but the scuffed shot wasn't what I would call a tight angle though
 
Red in STL said:
IMO it wouldn't have been surprising, the reflexes to get down that low by Raya was outstanding, Cunha expected to score as you can see from his reaction
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Fair enough, and yes it was a great save. Wonder what the XG (hate that!) was for that though.
 
Danny said:
Fair enough, and yes it was a great save. Wonder what the XG (hate that!) was for that though.
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No idea, I never take any notice whatsoever of stats like xG so I'm with you there, ultimately the only stat that matter is whether the ball went in the net or not, I've been using the eye-test for decades to tell me what I need to know
 
Danny said:
My original comment was about United not creating many obvious goalscoring opportunities, apart from Mbuemo's header.

How long should it take to have a settled play style, maybe this where we differ. I think it is a reasonable expectation for the current squad to have adjusted by now with only two additions start the match.

It doesn't matter to City's new signings how long Pep has been at the club they still have to come in and adjust to his system, just like our new signings. They had goalscoring contributions at the weekend already.

The secondary point is the insistent need for player to have to settle. Afterall Cunha and Mbuemo should be more suited than most having already had PL experience. They played well and I expect more is to follow.

United played well and will improve.
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You do know United played with no number 9 for nearly 70 minutes too right?
 
Zumbi said:
He’s been there years and came through their youth set up! You said “new players” and he is a not a new player. He’s been around the club for years. None of their starting front three from that game are new players. So your original comparison is a poor one.

Comparing Cherki coming on when they’re three nil up against Wolves to Mbeumo and Cunha playing against a settled Arsenal defence at 1-0 is an asinine comparison. At least try and make comparisons that make some kind of sense.

As other posters have pointed out, you’re also ignoring the fact that Mbeumo and Cunha looked far more dangerous and impactful than Arsenal’s new signings did yesterday.
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He's relatively new to the first team- you knew exactly what I meant, and he was injured for the majority of last season too and still came in and was brilliant. Not all youth players do that.

Next time United are 3 up and bring a forward on then come back to me. Cherki still came into his first PL game and had an immediate impact. That's factual.

More dangerous than Gyokores I assume you mean seeing as it's not fair to judge other singing that aren't forward like Cunha and Mbuemo. I haven't ignored it either, I have stated several times they played well.
 
TheReligion said:
You do know United played with no number 9 for nearly 70 minutes too right?
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Oh right, who's fault is that? People would have complained had Hojlund started, but he could have. Do you think that would have made the difference yesterday? Or he could have started Sesko.

Did it really show much improvement when we did have number 9 (not blaming Sesko btw)
 
Danny said:
Oh right, who's fault is that? People would have complained had Hojlund started, but he could have. Do you think that would have made the difference yesterday? Or he could have started Sesko.

Did it really show much improvement when we did have number 9 (not blaming Sesko btw)
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I’m lost. You’re arguing a nonsense point that makes no sense. Not even sure what you’re getting at by this point.

If it’s about integrating signings United’s did well. Arsenals didn’t. City’s did well, others didn’t.

United didn’t score but didn’t have a 9 on the pitch. Højlund is leaving the club.
 
TheReligion said:
I’m lost. You’re arguing a nonsense point that makes no sense. Not even sure what you’re getting at by this point.

If it’s about integrating signings United’s did well. Arsenals didn’t. City’s did well, others didn’t.

United didn’t score but didn’t have a 9 on the pitch. Højlund is leaving the club.
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You asked if I realised we didn't have a number 9 for 70 minutes to which I responded. We had a number 9 majority of last season and failed to score many goals.
 
TheReligion said:
I’m lost. You’re arguing a nonsense point that makes no sense. Not even sure what you’re getting at by this point.

If it’s about integrating signings United’s did well. Arsenals didn’t. City’s did well, others didn’t.

United didn’t score but didn’t have a 9 on the pitch. Højlund is leaving the club.
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Keep fighting the good fight bud :lol:
 
criticalanalysis said:
Shades of the Ole and ETH's threads before their inevitable demise where the criticism was shut down for 'not believing', 'being negative', 'he's been dealt a bad hand' excuses etc. I remember just putting my head in the sand, taking a break from the forum and avoided replying too much unless I had something more unique to say, which was usually some form of criticism anyways because our results and performances were so bad.

We're in a much better position now and I am definitely way more optimistic than those periods but for me, it's mostly based on the things off the pitch that Amorim to his credit and the board have done. Namely, profile of transfers in, intended departures out, fitness and the structure of the footballing departments. So far, Amorim has talked a way better game off the pitch than on it, which is a shame as I like a lot of what he says but other than having better players on the pitch, who no surprise play better (individually), I have still not seen enough. Enough being the prerogative word here because it's not that I haven't noticed the intended approach, it's I haven't seen more of a sustained and organised method towards it.

With much more time for players to recover and train now in midweek, he absolutely needs to be batting away half of the teams in the league with relatively 'ease' i.e not necessarily 3-0 wins but comfortable-ish one or two goal margins. If he can then pick up points in the harder games away from home and some wins, he really should be looking at a minimum top 6 finish especially with the size and quality of the squad barring no injuries. If we meander to our way to a top 8 finish but don't look convincing in our play, the same way Ole and ETH did then that would signify he just doesn't have the tactical and coaching acumen to get us where we want to be other than just buying better players than the opposition.
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For the record we’re not shutting down anything as your first few sentences imply. We are simply tracking who the most negative influences are and if there is a clear winner, we will talk to that/those people
 
golden_blunder said:
For the record we’re not shutting down anything as your first few sentences imply. We are simply tracking who the most negative influences are and if there is a clear winner, we will talk to that/those people
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That was not directed at the staff of these boards. I appreciate and understand the hard job you guys do, so personally I have no issue with whatever action you need to take. What you've outlined sounds reasonable and fair.

My comment was more about posters who are dismissing criticism as just being 'negative', moaning about moaning and being upset some people aren't being 'positive' like there's an unjustified or random agenda against Amorim and the previous 10 months didn't happen.
 
Negative
27 points from 28 games as our manager. Utterly, utterly dreadful :lol: . I have no idea how this season will turn out, but he'd want to start winning games. No matter how people want to dress it up. Losing at home in your first game of the season is shite. Tired of watching his team lose at this stage, no matter how much you might want to be positive about the performance. The idea is to win games in professional sport.
 
TrueRed79 said:
27 points from 28 games as our manager. Utterly, utterly dreadful :lol: . I have no idea how this season will turn out, but he'd want to start winning games. No matter how people want to dress it up. Losing at home in your first game of the season is shite. Tired of watching his team lose at this stage, no matter how much you might want to be positive about the performance. The idea is to win games in professional sport.
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Last season is done and irrelevant - all that matters is this one for Amorim. First game, expected result, good if not amazing performance. More positives than negatives.
Fulham and Burnley are must wins. 6 points from the first 3, then two tough games where hopefully we turn up and can nick a win or at least a draw or two and I will be satisfied.
 
TrueRed79 said:
27 points from 28 games as our manager. Utterly, utterly dreadful :lol: . I have no idea how this season will turn out, but he'd want to start winning games. No matter how people want to dress it up. Losing at home in your first game of the season is shite. Tired of watching his team lose at this stage, no matter how much you might want to be positive about the performance. The idea is to win games in professional sport.
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Unfortunately the United faithful are only searching for a messianic manager who will deliver us from our penance, we will blindly back any manager no matter how stupid their formations or signings are as we still cannot move on from the passing of the legendary Ferguson where the manager was king. We have given managers too much authority and power in shaping United and this has resulted in over a billion wasted on ridiculous transfers with little success to show for it. Until we restrict the power and influence of the manager we will always be shifting from one philosophy to another, there is no continuity and no foundation to build success upon.
 
TrueRed79 said:
27 points from 28 games as our manager. Utterly, utterly dreadful :lol: . I have no idea how this season will turn out, but he'd want to start winning games. No matter how people want to dress it up. Losing at home in your first game of the season is shite. Tired of watching his team lose at this stage, no matter how much you might want to be positive about the performance. The idea is to win games in professional sport.
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The next two are massive now.

No good looking decent but losing only to then shit the bed against easier opponents like we often did last season.
Time to start turning that stat around to 33 in 30 and building confidence from there.
 
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