Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils Face Brentford Following Chelsea Victory

Ruben Amorim leads his Manchester United team into this weekend’s match against Brentford, buoyed by a much-needed 2-1 triumph over Chelsea. While it may take some time before the Portuguese manager can announce a significant turnaround for the club, it’s important to recognize the small victories during this transitional period.

A Tight League Situation

Optimists might note that the Red Devils sit just three points away from the second position in the Premier League table. On the flip side, the club presently occupies 11th place and is only three points clear of Brentford, who currently rank fourth from the bottom. Regardless of the results that may come, Amorim continues to enjoy the confidence of owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his management team, suggesting they are prepared to see how the situation evolves.

This decision reflects the owner’s willingness to back his manager, who is committed to ensuring his tactical approach will ultimately yield positive results. Achieving this, however, demands the making of several crucial decisions—some of which have already been implemented.

Summer Departures from United

Alejandro Garnacho, who recently faced his former club, has transferred to Chelsea. Antony has transitioned to Real Betis on a permanent loan, while Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, and Jadon Sancho have also been sent on loan.

It is premature to judge whether Amorim made the right choices in releasing these players, although it appears that Sancho’s struggles with attitude—previously highlighted by former manager Erik ten Hag—remain unresolved. Rashford, however, made a strong statement with a brace against Newcastle in the Champions League, affirming his capabilities, as echoed by manager Hansi Flick’s observations of his training performance.

Despite not having found the net in LaLiga yet, Rashford has registered one assist and created ten goal-scoring opportunities, boasting an impressive pass completion rate of 93.3%. His efforts off the ball and chasing lost causes illustrate a markedly different attitude than what was displayed during his time at Old Trafford.

Hojlund’s Successful Napoli Debut

Rasmus Hojlund also seems to be thriving, scoring just 14 minutes into his first appearance for Napoli against Fiorentina. His time at Manchester United presented challenges, as he often found himself isolated in attack without sufficient support from his teammates. This lack of service is something that his replacement, Benjamin Sesko, is beginning to experience firsthand.

Underperformance can be exacerbated by a heavy shirt, and when asking a striker to adapt their game away from their strengths, it reveals a lack of coherent strategy from the coaching staff. It should be recognized that expecting more from Hojlund than his given circumstances allowed would be unreasonable.

Antony Shines at Betis

Antony is enjoying a successful stint at Real Betis, where his debut season has exceeded expectations. With nine goals and five assists across 26 matches, he ranks third on the team in terms of goal contributions, trailing only Cedric Bakambu and Isco.

His impressive statistics are particularly noteworthy considering he only joined the club in late January 2025, resulting in just half a season to produce results. Prior to his transfer, his performance at Manchester United yielded only one goal and no assists in limited appearances, underscoring the marked difference in his role and output since leaving.

Antony’s improved pass completion rate at Real Betis stands at 84%, surpassing his time at United, where it was recorded at 81.4%. The newfound freedom he experiences on the pitch seems to be the key difference in his performance.

Addressing Accountability at Old Trafford

The journey of Scott McTominay, who won Serie A’s best player award with Napoli, raises questions about the decision-making at United that deemed him unqualified. Should Rashford and others replicate their success this season, it prompts the need for an honest reflection on the underlying issues persisting at Old Trafford.

As players thrive in new environments away from the club, attention must be given to the systemic challenges that remain unaddressed.