Ruben Amorim has admitted Manchester United are in a battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League after their humbling defeat to Newcastle.
The dismal 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford, described by former captain Gary Neville as 'embarrassing' and 'grim', means United are just seven points above the drop zone at the halfway point of the season.
When asked directly via Sky Sports whether Manchester United were now in a relegation battle, Amorim admitted: “That's very clear. It's one of the most difficult moments in Man Utd's history and we have to deal with it honestly.”
Amorim added later at his press conference: “When you have moments like this, especially in the big clubs, it is very difficult to turn things around, especially when you don't have much time to train the basics, to deal with the difficult moments.
“So we have to recognize our position, as you see the competition: anyone can beat anyone. So we have to commit and focus on survival.”
United's next match is Sunday against league leaders Liverpool, live on Sky Sports.
United drops to a new low against impressive Newcastle
In-form Newcastle simply overpowered Amorim's side in the opening 30 minutes, with United's fourth straight defeat confirmed long before half-time.
“They were the better team and they started very strong,” Amorim said. “It was very difficult for us to turn it around after conceding the first goal, because of the previous results and we didn't have the positioning to deal with the difficult moments. The players suffered a lot on the pitch and it was very difficult.” Newcastle are a better team.”
Amorim's team selection was again the focus of attention when Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were overrun in midfield, as predicted before the match by Neville and Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher. Joshua Zirkzee, selected as inside left, barely lasted half an hour before being replaced amid widespread cheering at Old Trafford.
Before the match, Amorim had responded defiantly when asked if he wanted to change his approach.
“I was hired because of that idea, and if you change your mind in these difficult moments, it means the end for any coach,” he said.
And after the defeat, a defiant Amorim again wondered whether he would consider changing his approach, which featured a switch to a 3-4-3 formation. He promised to stick to his principles.
“It is a choice that everyone in football has to make. If I think it is best for the team, then I will continue to spread my message.”
Neville and Carragher condemn Amorim's team selection
The concern, however, is that United are currently going backwards, even after the mid-season change of manager following the replacement of Erik ten Hag by Amorim.
“There is no doubt that performance and results have deteriorated in recent weeks,” Neville said. “They find it very difficult, some players with the system find it very difficult with the confidence, and the worry is that they will get involved in a battle at the bottom there.
“It's really grim. That first half hour was hard to watch.
“A lot of what we saw, we knew was going to happen. I didn't see any balance in the team selection. Once I saw the team, I thought it was going to be a struggle.”
Carragher was equally scathing.
“We talked about Eriksen and Casemiro on this show 18 months ago. These players cannot run. We know that. That is the manager's job to put these two players in that position and in that system.”
“But at the moment it's not just about tonight. United have lost five of the last six. That's relegation form.”
How long can Man Utd's slump last?
Sky Sports' Adam Bate at Old Trafford:
“With bad results it is very difficult to sell an idea,” Ruben Amorim told Sky Sports before Manchester United's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. “I was hired because of that idea. If you change your mind in these difficult moments, it means the end for any coach.” But clinging to that idea also brings problems.
Manchester United were a mess against Newcastle from the start. Some of it is due to players lacking confidence. The sad sight of Joshua Zirkzee being booed off the pitch before half-time was emblematic of a group of players who look unhappy in their jobs.
But a system should make their job easier, not harder, and no matter how you look at the quality of the squad Amorim has inherited, it's increasingly difficult to argue that this isn't at least part of the problem. Too many of them look uncomfortable in their roles.
Diogo Dalot was so high up the pitch for much of the match that it would have been more natural to have a left winger there rather than a former right back. When he got the ball he could only scoop it inside rather than provide any real width.
Noussair Mazraoui did a little better on the other flank and Matthijs de Ligt does not want to be dragged into the wide areas like Alexander Isak. Lisandro Martinez is one of the few who would suit this mold and he endured a miserable evening in red.
No doubt, Amorim would rather have gotten into this job last summer or next summer than be thrust into a jam-packed schedule and asked to solve problems on the fly. But the hope would have been that he could muddle through and build for next season.
That remains the hope, but it is certainly necessary for United to pick up the thread again or risk starting the rebuild behind, which is already being doubted before he has his first full season in charge. As he himself admits, there is an idea to sell – to the players, to the public and to his bosses.
Amorim doesn't need a trophy. A season outside Europe could even make things easier. There is no expectation of united fire. Just function. But a third Premier League defeat in a row without scoring a goal is unacceptable even at this low point.
Man Utd are busy in January
Sunday 5 January: Liverpool vs Man Utd – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
Sunday 12 January: Arsenal vs Man Utd – FA Cup Third Round, kick-off 3pm
Thursday 16 January: Man Utd vs Southampton – Premier League, kick-off 8pm
Sunday 19 January: Man Utd vs Brighton – Premier League, kick-off 2pm
Thursday 23 January: Man Utd vs Rangers – Europa League, kick-off 8pm
Sunday 26 January: Fulham vs Man Utd – Premier League, kick-off 7pm
Thursday 30 January: FCSB vs Man Utd – Europa League, kick-off 8pm
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