Three things Ruben Amorim can do to avoid cementing status as worst-ever Man Utd manager

Ruben Amorim is tetering on the brink (Pictures: Getty/REUTERS/REX/PA)

In a feat that scarcely seemed feasible, Manchester United have somehow managed to sink to yet new depths.

An embarrassing Carabao Cup performance at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby Town has piled the pressure firmly back on Ruben Amorim .

And the meek manner of United’s display, only taking the game to penalties after two late goals, will surely dissipate any shoots of optimism that were beginning to sprout out of Old Trafford after their latest big summer spend.

Amorim, who preferred to cower in the away dugout rather than watch Wednesday night’s shootout, appeared to cast further doubt on his long-term future after his side’s latest troubling performance.

But it is the Portuguese head coach who, for now, must try to find solutions to his sorry start to life as United’s latest project and ensure he is not condemned to the history books as the club’s worst-ever manager.

Amorim appeared out of ideas in the heavy rain at Blundell Park, but there are several quick fixes that he surely must attempt before time runs out.

Andre Onana endured another evening to forget (Picture: Getty)

Few needed another calamitous performance between the sticks from Andre Onana to know that United’s need for a new goalkeeper is urgent.

But having been at fault for both Grimsby goals before managing to save just one of 13 opposition penalties in the shootout, United’s glaring weakness was once again apparent.

After the game, Amorim refused to lay blame at Onana’s door , insisting: ‘When you play against a fourth-division team, it’s not the goalkeeper, it’s everything.’

The unconvincing Altay Bayındır appears to be United’s new first-choice keeper (Picture: Getty)

But having dropped Onana for the first two league games of the season, Amorim has clearly also lost confidence in the Cameroon international.

Altay Bayindir, for now, is the new stand-in number one, but his performances thus far, especially on opening weekend against Arsenal, have done little to suggest that he is the long-term answer in net.

The Red Devils have been linked with young Belgian shotstopper Senne Lammens in a clear sign that the club has changed tack on their early summer stance that a new keeper was not in their plans.

And surely now, getting that deal over the line must represent United’s number-one priority in the final days of the window if they are to inspire any confidence in their back line.

Amorim has been wedded to his 3-4-2-1 formation (Picture: Getty)

While willing to be brutally honest about his side’s failings and critical of his own role in the defeat to Grimsby, Amorim still baulked at the notion that his tactical dogmatism was part of the problem.

At Sporting Lisbon, Amorim enjoyed vast successes with his 3-4-2-1 formation, and arrived on English shores intent on replicating those successes with United.

However, his refusal to even consider a different shape becomes increasingly baffling as the weeks pass.

After their draw with Fulham at the weekend, Marco Silva and his players explained how they were able to exploit United’s system with ease.

And even as they were chasing goals against fourth-tier Grimsby, Amorim refused to change shape, keeping three centre-backs on the pitch and instead shoehorning attacking players into unfamiliar positions.

Amorim can perhaps point to his side’s encouraging display against Arsenal on opening weekend, or their performances against Manchester City and Liverpool last season as signs that his system can work.

@metrosportuk The first ever pitch invasion in August? 🤣 League Two’s Grimsby Town fans celebrated in Manchester United fans’ faces after knocking them out of the EFL Cup in the second round – the earliest they’ve EVER crashed out of the competition. 🎥 / @stplsports @rvcoopz._ #manchesterunited #grimsby #pitchinvasion #eflcup #footballfans ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

But such instances are few and far between and, more often than not, his side have found themselves overrun in midfield and unable to control matches for large periods.

A three-back formation should still remain his go-to modus operandi, particularly after a summer recruiting for that system, but a willingness to be more tactically flexible is a string Amorim desperately needs to add to his bow.

Manchester United players during Wednesday’s shootout (Picture: Getty)

Amorim’s first handful of media commitments showed him to be an open and forthright character, particularly in contrast to his often cold and guarded predecessor, Erik ten Hag.

The United industrial complex is an unrelenting machine, however, and Amorim is yet to grasp how to fully use that to his advantage.

Labelling his side as ‘maybe the worst’ in the 147-year history of the club last January was certainly honest, but it’s hard to see how it would inspire confidence in his players.

Last week, he suggested his side would not have been prepared to play in Europe this season, such is the state of their squad and current levels of performance.

And after their defeat to Grimsby, he offered yet more hints at the mindset within his squad, suggesting: ‘I think the players spoke really loudly about what they want today. It is really clear.’

Amorim does not have to be unrealistic about his side’s capabilities this season, but frequently talking down their potential may well ensure their ongoing demise becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Compare that to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham last season, who, while floundering in the league, was bullish on his side’s cup-winning capabilities and was ultimately vindicated with a Europa League triumph at United’s expense.

Amorim has a mountain of a task to turn this ship around, of that there is no doubt. But he should start by carrying himself like a man who has not already accepted defeat.