United Discussion | Is it time for another change?

To lose one match at Brentford may be considered a misfortune. 

To lose two in six months looks like carelessness. To lose to a rookie manager, who simply outwits you, is a new low even for Ruben Amorim. 

Author | Liam C

This 3-4-3 formation makes United far too easy to play against, and his stubbornness is an extra gift to opposing bosses. They know exactly how United will line up and can plan accordingly.

Outwitted by a rookie manager.

Keith Andrews summed it up perfectly: beating United is no mystery. Set up in a 4-2-3-1, drop your No 10 deep like Mikkel Damsgaard to overload our flimsy midfield, keep your wingers wide to pull apart the back three, and let Jordan Henderson launch a few long balls over the top. That was enough to undo us. Amorim admitted they had worked on the long ball, but he suggested it was the players who came up short. In truth, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt both handed Igor Thiago a goal apiece with individual errors.

Bad decision after bad decision

The manager didn’t help himself. He left Leny Yoro, the quickest defender at the club, on the bench, even as United were repeatedly exposed by direct passes. He moaned about a lack of control, yet he continues with a midfield that gets swamped time and again. Then there is Bruno Fernandes, whose penalty routine has become so laboured that you half expect him to miss before he even strikes the ball. It all adds up to a picture that is becoming painfully familiar. United are easier to work out than ever, and right now the solutions look obvious to everyone except the man in the dugout.

This recent defeat has changed the mood

The Brentford defeat has shifted the mood completely. Pick up a paper or speak to a fellow Red and you’ll find Amorim losing support, even among those who defended him only weeks ago. The press, who gave him a fairly gentle ride for his first nine months, now bring up his Premier League record every time United stumble. Supporters who once argued that the club couldn’t keep sacking managers are starting to admit there may be no other option. They are right too, just as West Ham fans were right, however painfully, to give up on Graham Potter.

READ MORE | United React | The decision to let Rasmus Hojlund leave

READ MORE | United Review | Brentford away

Sam Turner was in the away end on Saturday, he told us: "Once again we delivered a shambolic defensive performance and failed to break down their opponent. These are issues that even an average coach should be able to address in training."

What comes next?

Amorim is still said to have the board’s backing, even after another setback at the Gtech Community Stadium, and United insist no replacement is being lined up.

That has not stopped his future dominating the headlines. After the shootout defeat to Grimsby Town last month, the club even felt the need to clarify that he would not be sacked.

Crystal Palace boss Glasner is reportedly one of the favourites to replace Ruben after an impressive spell at Selhurst Park. Gareth Southgate has also been linked with the job. Glasner is one thing, but another former Palace man would be a different proposition. Southgate is not the one.