After latest loss, Ruben Amorim says Manchester United could face relegation battle

LONDON – Ruben Amorim called it “embarrassing” as a Manchester United manager to be discussing the threat of relegation, but after a miserable 2-0 English Premier League loss at home to Newcastle United on Dec 30, he conceded that is the reality his team are facing.

Alexander Isak and Joelinton headed early goals in the first 19 minutes to hand Amorim’s team a fifth loss in their last six league games.

They have suffered a third consecutive home league defeat for the first time since 1979, adding to the list of sorry statistics that have marked United’s decade of decline.

The Red Devils head into the new year 14th in the table, 13 points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea and just seven above 18th-placed Ipswich Town. It is their lowest position at the turn of a year in the league since 1989 (15th), when they eventually finished 13th.

“I think (a relegation fight) is a possibility and we have to be clear with our fans. We have to change something, but this season will be really hard on everybody. It can make us stronger and we have to fight,” Amorim said.

“It’s also my fault because I think the team is not improved, I think it is a little bit lost. So it’s a little bit embarrassing as United coach and to lose a lot of games.”

The 39-year-old Portuguese has had anything but a dream start to his United career, suffering five defeats in his first eight league games – the worst record for a Red Devils boss in 103 years.

Since his November arrival, only Southampton (seven) have lost more games in all competitions among Premier League clubs than United.

“Worrying times for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim,” former United defender Gary Neville said on Sky Sports. “He came in as a young manager and knew it was going to be a big job, but it is far bigger than he could have ever imagined.”

He called United “the worst pound for pound team in the country”.

There have been questions over Amorim’s commitment to his tactical 3-4-3 approach, and there were even more after this defeat.

The defensive issues that plagued former manager Erik ten Hag have haunted Amorim as well, with both goals against the Magpies coming largely due to blunders in the backline.

The visitors cut through the hosts at will to secure their fifth straight win and climb to fifth, just three points behind Chelsea (35).

It was just Newcastle’s third victory in 57 league games at Old Trafford, with their earlier wins coming in 1971-72 and 2013-14.

“We know the hurt this fixture has had for us historically, it wasn’t lost on us,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. “I think we need to win games like this to achieve what we want on a regular basis.”

Just over three minutes were on the clock when Isak was afforded space inside the six-yard box to head in Lewis Hall’s cross.

It was his 11th goal in as many Premier League matches and the sixth consecutive league game where he has scored.

United badly missed the presence of suspended captain Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, as the Magpies’ midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton played around the ageing duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen with ease.

Marcus Rashford was restored to the United squad for the first time in five games but remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

It was just a matter of time before Newcastle added a second and it arrived in the 19th minute, when Joelinton burst in to meet Anthony Gordon’s cross.

Amorim responded by replacing Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes – a move greeted with cheers by the frustrated Old Trafford crowd.

Tonali should have made it 3-0 when he hit the post at the end of a flowing Newcastle move through the heart of the United defence.

However, United did have chances to get back in the game before half-time, as Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro failed to hit the target with just Martin Dubravka to beat.

Amorim’s half-time pep talk did at least muster some response as United began the second half far better.

Harry Maguire’s header came back off the post before Hall blocked Matthijs de Ligt’s goalbound follow-up effort.

The fear for Amorim is that the losing run only looks set to continue into 2025.

A daunting trip to runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits on Jan 5, before United travel to Arsenal for an FA Cup third-round tie a week later. REUTERS, AFP