Manchester United is plowing deep.
Manchester United is the most successful English club in history.
However, the recent earnings situation gives cause for concern. The Red Devils have lost no less than five of their six previous league games. The situation has only worsened since the manager Erik ten Hag changed to Portuguese Rúben to Amorim.
There will be no relief on Sunday either, when the team arrives as Liverpool’s guest. An expected defeat would derail United already very close to the relegation battle.
– We have to be awake, because there are only seven points to go and half the season is yet to be played, Viaplay’s futsal expert Jonathan Johansson start.
– It is embarrassing for the entire organization that it is said that the team is involved in the relegation battle. That in itself is a very negative thing.
Tintti played in the Premier League at the beginning of the millennium in a Charlton shirt. Then sir Alex Ferguson led by the combination fought equally for the championships with Arsenal and Chelsea.
– Ferguson was such a strong person in that organization. When he left, everyone knew there would be trouble. Since then, the team has never had harmony and balance.
– Star players have been bought who did not fit into the team. The main reason is the way the club is managed.
Tintti Johansson is still working in football. PDO
Falling would be expensive
Finland’s most meritorious United supporter Leo “Lexa” Deserted looks at the situation sadly.
– I fell in love with that club in the 80s, even though there was no success. It was absolutely insane. I didn’t follow United for success.
Autio first visited Old Trafford in the spring of 1979, and has been watching games every season since then for nearly 50 years.
– For the last ten years, we have been going around the same circle, from which we have not been able to get out.
The club was relegated to the old second division at the end of the 1973–74 season. At that time, a drop down the league ladder greeted United’s action and it immediately returned to the main league.
Now the situation would be different. Last season, United received 270 million euros for the television rights to football matches. In the championship series, that amount would drop to about a quarter.
Adidas could terminate its own 100 million euro a year shirt contract, and the technology company Snapdragon would certainly not want to renew its sponsorship deal that expires this spring.
Relegation would mean that it would be even more difficult for United, loved by many Finns, to rise again to its glory.
– It is possible that the team is in a relegation battle because the others have smelled blood. I wouldn’t throw in the towel just yet, Autio continues.
Lexa Autio visited Old Trafford for the first time in the spring of 1979. LEO AUTION’S HOME ALBUM
– Amorim has been around for such a short time. He got the players bought by ten Hag for himself and he doesn’t do anything with them. There are not many out there who can play “Rúben ball”.
Only two wins
The crux of the current problem is right here. The players have come to Old Trafford with a different playing philosophy, and now Amorim is trying to use them strictly according to the Portuguese’s own preferences.
The results are according to it. United have won only two league games under his leadership.
– One of the reasons why ten Hag was allowed to leave was that the team’s identity was lost, Johansson reminds.
– Amorim has a clear way of playing. But it is clear that he should get results without giving up the principles, because then the faith of the players can also be lost.
Harry Maguire’s level is not up to the United shirt, while Alejandro Garnacho (right) has suffered from attitude problems. EPA / AOP
In Monday’s loss to Newcastle, Amorim made his first substitution after only half an hour of play, when Joshua Zirkzee left its place To Kobbie Mainoo.
The Dutchman swept straight into the dressing room without greeting his coach. The reaction was also influenced by the fact that Zirkzee was booed harshly by his own supporters.
– I think it’s quite shameful that one’s own players are whistled. If the game doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. It doesn’t mean that the players should start booing, Autio said.
– The guy had his head down. On the other hand, I don’t understand the acquisition of Zirkzee. He just can’t do it there.
See how the audience “rewarded” Joshua Zirkzee. Premier League football can be watched on VSport’s channels and Viaplay’s service.
The 23-year-old striker arrived at Old Trafford as Bologna’s top scorer last summer. The career in the red shirts has not started as hoped.
– We have to remember that United is still one of the biggest clubs in the world. The pressure and level of demands are very hard. Now that there is a lot of negativity in the team, the pressure will only increase. You should be a really strong person who can play well, Johansson continues.
Supporters miss Roy Keane, by Nobby Stiles or Norman Whiteside fighters like
– United has not managed to buy those players.
From the current group, it is easy to pick out those who could have a future in Amorim’s dream team as well.
The task is made easier by the fact that there are very few such players: André Onana, Manuel Ugarte, Rasmus HøjlundAdvertises and Leny Yoro.
– Money must be spent on reconstruction. We need new leaders, athleticism, physicality and a decent goal scorer. It’s going to be expensive.
Big match: Soto at home
The interview with Helsinki’s Auti can also be found in the latest United We Stand magazine – in which club owner sir Jim Ratcliffe express their opinions.
– This is where we are now taking quite a drastic step back. Now after Christmas there are fewer games, so the Kunds get to train according to Amorim’s instructions.
– The rest of the season will hopefully go much better. I don’t believe in falling – yet.
Rúben Amorim’s start at the United helm has not gone according to the Portuguese’s wishes. EPA / AOP
All eyes are already on next season. This spring should just go through somehow acceptably. No miracles can be expected from Sunday’s visit to Liverpool.
The next league game is against Southampton at home.
– It is one of the biggest games of the season. It is absolutely necessary to win, so as not to give the wolves a taste of blood in their mouths, Autio continued.
The United sled can still turn during this spring. However, right now nothing really gives reason to believe in it.
– There are good players in the club. If everyone is fit, and they play at their own level, there will definitely be points, Johansson concludes.
– Next season can be completely different. In football, these things can happen quickly.
The Liverpool–Manchester United match can be watched on the Viaplay service and VSport channels on Sunday at 18:30.