Ruben Amorim says he has “no idea” how long it will take for Manchester United’s fortunes to turn around after his side suffered their fourth defeat in five Premier League games against Wolves.
After Tottenham’s chaotic Carabao Cup quarter-final exit last week was compounded by Bournemouth’s humiliation at Old Trafford, things took a further turn for the worse as they slumped to a third straight defeat.
United captain Bruno Fernandes’ second yellow card changed the game shortly after half-time and Matheus Cunha scored from a corner for a shaken Molineux.
The Wolves star put on substitute Hee-Chan Hwang in a 2-0 win deep into stoppage time as Amorim’s 10th game in charge ended in a fifth defeat, leaving them 14th in the Premier League table.
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United
“An idea takes time,” said United’s head coach. “I told you before that this is going to be a difficult moment and we are far from the end of this moment and that’s it.
“We have to move on and focus on the next game.”
Asked how long he thought it would take to make his mark, Amorim said, “I have no idea. I have no idea. Instead of trying to figure out how long it’s going to take, one day at a time.
“Progress, try to see the videos, use every minute of training and try to get some points because that’s really important at the moment.”
United are points closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places ahead of the final game of the 2024 Upside Down at home to in-form Newcastle.
“At this point we just have to survive and win some team time,” Amorim said.
“We already knew that. I start this job, and you start with a team, a new idea, without time for training, with a lot of games, difficult games.
“We already knew that, so it’s a long way, as I said on the first day. We have to continue and we have to fight against these bad moments because this is part of football.”
Telling Amorim that he cannot think about European qualification at the moment, he said: “No. We have to work on a lot of things at our club – on the pitch, off the pitch – so let’s focus on every game, every time and use every minute of training and every game to improve team.”
The frightening statistics 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, which is the same number of defeats as in their previous 15 matches in the competition (seven wins, four draws). 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 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 – tied with Wolves). Indeed, it is the second goal the Red Devils have conceded directly from a corner in the competition since 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 Vidić in 2008-09 (also three).
Man Utd looks long-term, but problems need to be solved now
Bruno Fernandes is sent off by referee Tony Harrington
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Adam Bate at Molineux:
A red card for Bruno Fernandes clearly offered extenuating circumstances and there was enough tension inside Molineux to believe Manchester United could have equalized late in the game. But the 2-0 defeat by Wolves was still alarming.
Another stumble, another goal conceded directly from a corner, let alone from a free-kick. Much of the focus at United now is long-term, but it’s something Amorim needs to sort out quickly to avoid this season going from bad to worse.
Asked how long it will take to solidify his game principles, Amorim said he has no idea. In a match that started with both Portuguese coaches adopting a 3-4-2-1 formation, Wolves’ players looked more comfortable with that system.
Even when the game was 11v11, United lacked verve, moving the ball too slowly to gain an advantage against opponents who started the game with the last three men. Amorim will be more convinced than ever that big changes are needed for next season.
But next season looks a long way off if United continue to play like this. Newcastle are next, followed by back-to-back away games against Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League and FA Cup. This could get messier before it gets better.
