Manchester United have finally picked up their first three points of the season following a last-minute win at Burnley. When the game started, it seemed like United’s woes this season were to continue. United have struggled to play at the expected levels this season and last season, to be fair. Ruben Amorim has stated that if results do not improve, he would voluntarily leave Manchester United. Let’s hope that United can improve and avoid that situation. Captain Bruno Fernandes snatched the win for United via a penalty in the dying moments of the game.
Manchester United have three points on the board, finally
This season has not started well for the Red Devils. They started the English Premier League with a defeat at home to Arsenal, and followed that up with a shocking defeat in the Carabao Cup against fourth-tier side Grimsby Town. However, the United players are fully aware that they hold Amorim’s future with the club in their hands. They came out with a different mindset that was evident in the game. So perhaps change is coming.
Despite that positive attitude, United were level with Burnley heading into the end of the game. The referees in the English Premier League have been instructed to clamp down on holding in the box, and as such, the VAR was needed to overturn two calls made by the referee. One of which led to the penalty that won United the game. The inclusion of VAR to review and overturn calls is a new technique that the EPL is using to level out the playing field.
“The way the game ends, it is the way the game has gone – quadruple-checking every minute. It’s not the ref, it’s a fella 200-odd miles away in a box.” – Burnley manager Scott Parker
Ruben Amorim has had a torrid rollercoaster ride as United’s manager
The three points will be a welcome distraction from the ever-present problems at one of the biggest soccer clubs in the world. Amorim took over from Ten Hag last season, and this year was his first preseason with the team. United spent over $200 million on new players. To his credit, one of those new signings, Brian Mbeumo, scored one of the goals for United. But United has a much more serious problem that needs urgent attention.
The goalkeeper situation for United has been a problem this season. The consistent mistakes in goal have led to United conceding several goals that ended up deciding the match. We only need to think back to the Arsenal game to find an example of poor goalkeeping.
“I think it is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment. They are humans. At Manchester United, everything is in the news. Everybody talks about the goalkeeper. I can change the goalkeeper and situations happen. We are in that moment. The players are struggling a little bit with all the things around the club. That is normal. It’s not just the goalkeepers. I think everybody has to improve.” – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Can Ruben Amorim turn things around for Manchester United
In the Grimsby Town game, Ruben Amorim stared at the ground instead of watching the penalties. This time around, he stated that he wanted to watch the fans celebrate the goal as he “knew” that Fernandes would score, unlike in his last game. United have been one of the biggest spenders in this transfer window. Those new signings are yet to start producing results that justify their price tags. Yes, Mbeumo scored, but Sesko and Cunha are yet to break their deadlock for United. Does the Portuguese manager have what it takes to turn things around at United?
