IF Ruben Amorim didn't recognize the magnitude of his Manchester United job before, he certainly does now.
United's 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Old Trafford left United 13th at Christmas – seven points closer to the relegation zone than the Prem summit.
The Portuguese manager had wondered whether to make the Prem jump mid-season or wait until the end of the season before leaving Sporting Lisbon.
It will come as no surprise that the pull of Old Trafford and turning around a suffering beast proved too much.
But Amorim must wave his magic wand quickly or risk the season falling apart, with dire consequences for summer recruitment.
Amorim prefers a 3-4-3 formation and much of the squad he inherited is not designed to play in such a system.
If fans didn't believe that a few weeks ago, they will now.
SunSport looks at the five players Amorim should build his team around, the five who should be pushed through the exit door and those whose future lies in their hands…
STAYS —
MANUEL UGARTE
The Uruguayan midfielder struggled in his early games, but that could be because everything Erik ten Hag touched had already turned to dust.
In recent weeks, Ugarte has looked like a real player, with a real ability to do the crucial dirty work in between.
AMAD DIALLO
Ivorian Wideman has been at United for five years, but is starting to turn his promise into something concrete.
Amorim needs the wider players in his attacking trident to be able to turn and cause problems, but also to attack in the outer parts of the pitch. Amad meets all these requirements, at a high pace.
LENY YORO
Another United youngster and plagued by injuries after his summer arrival from Lille.
There is plenty to learn for the 19-year-old and if Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire stay, they can help him live up to the reputation he came out of France with.
BRUNO FERNANDES
Some still accuse the Portuguese of being a flat bully, but he remains the creative center of most of what United do best.
Of course, Amorim needs his captain to take charge, not hide, and Fernandes still has games where he might go missing. But when he plays well, that usually applies to United too.
KOBBIE MAINOO
Missed the start of the Amorim era due to injury and three defeats in the four games as his return does not bode well.
However, Mainoo still lacks competitive sharpness. Yes, the 19-year-old makes mistakes.
But he has the ability to make a mark in midfield and can build a good partnership with Ugarte, if given the time to work on it.
TO LEAVE –
MARCUS RASHFORD
Rashford's decision to make public his willingness to leave his boyhood club could make things easier for Amorim than if he were seen to push the England man out the door.
But it was difficult to see the forward fitting naturally into the Amorim system, even before the fallout of the past two weeks.
Unlike many of the potential discards, selling Rashford also makes economic sense as any transfer fee can be calculated at its full book value in the club's profit and sustainability accounting.
ANTONY
Many Stretford End regulars spotted the Brazilian after just a few months when he joined the club in the summer of 2022.
Nearly two and a half years later, the rest of United supporters have caught up.
Winger Antony represents the worst Eredivisie players from Ten Hag that he knew from his Ajax days.
The £85.5 million flop offers nothing. Getting away, even in the face of a huge loss, is the only option.
CASEMIRO
The Brazilian's arrival from Real Madrid may have made sense at the time and he scored in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle in 2023.
Yet United are now spending a fortune on a midfielder who can barely fumble, let alone run, and who has been overtaken by the toughest enemy of all: time.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ
Another Ten Hag project that seems to have run its course in recent weeks – and is making far too many mistakes.
The Argentinian defender has never been so physically imposing, but he always shrinks from the fight.
He looks like a player who doesn't want to be there.
LUKE SHAW
It's hard to blame the English left-back, but his body is failing him so much that Amorim cannot be confident he will ever stay fit.
Shaw would have been ideal as a left winger for the next two years if he could guarantee availability. But he simply cannot.
MUCH TO PROVE —
MASON FIXING
Another whose problems are physical, but just nine Prem starts in 18 months since his move from Chelsea tells you everything about the England midfielder.
Mount, if fit, could certainly play a role even if he isn't on the bench. But what are the chances that it will remain available long enough?
RASMUS HOJLUND
United thought enough of the Dane's potential to pay £64million upfront to sign him from Atalanta – and he will likely be given the chance to become first-choice number 9.
However, Hojlund has yet to convince that he is the natural predator United were hoping they would sign.
He remains a work in progress.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO
The winger was subbed off during the 2-1 win over City in the derby and was put in the line of fire by some as United's mole hunt continued. During training, the winger responded in the right way.
However, three Prem goals this season is a poor return and the Puskas Award for his bicycle kick at Everton last season will mean little to the new manager.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE
There is little so far to indicate that the Dutch striker could have a long future at Old Trafford.
However, there is little point in dumping him after just a few months at the club.
Zirkzee needs to show that he is mobile and dangerous – to make things happen instead of waiting for opportunities to be at his feet.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI
Versatility and being able to play a number of roles at the back can help the Moroccan.
Yet he has done little so far to suggest he will be part of the furniture for too long.
Difficult to see him operating as a full-back unless injuries occur and does he have the defensive resilience to be trusted in a back three? It's up to him to give the answer.
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