United Discussion | Surprising stats and analysis

Are things really bad for United?

With only two Premier League wins since early April, it would be easy to dismiss the idea that we are showing signs of progress under Ruben Amorim. Yet the numbers tell a more complicated story.

Author | Olivia T

On the surface, the picture looks bleak. Only Tottenham have collected fewer points across the past 10 matches. But dig into the data and it is clear United’s performances have deserved more. If anything, it has been the players who have failed to take their chances, rather than Amorim and his heavily scrutinised system.

To strip away any distortion, penalties have been excluded from the analysis. The result is a picture of a team creating and limiting chances more effectively than their critics would suggest. United have attempted more shots than any other side in the Premier League over the past 10 fixtures, while only Manchester City, their opponents on Sunday, have faced fewer attempts on goal among teams consistently involved in that period.

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It is worth noting that two of those games included lengthy spells against 10-man opposition, Bournemouth and Aston Villa. But reduced numbers do not guarantee dominance, and United’s underlying performance levels remain striking.

Only six clubs have been more dominant in their last 10 league games. Had United been as clinical as the average side in those situations, their points tally would be close to double the meagre eight they have actually amassed.

Fans walking to the ground before Arsenal at home

We are improving even if results aren’t showing that (yet).

Why should it matter that we have recently been creating more chances and restricting opponents, when ultimately it is goals scored and conceded that count?

The answer lies in football’s history. Over time, the teams that consistently fashion good opportunities in attack and limit high-quality efforts at the other end are the ones who enjoy sustained success.

Being clinical in both penalty areas will always matter and United still need to improve the quality of their finishing. But no side, however fortunate or wasteful, can defy their expected goal numbers indefinitely.

Ruben Amorim’s reign has not delivered the immediate transformation many supporters hoped for when he arrived in December. Yet recent signs suggest there is at least a foundation being built for improvement.

Time for Sesko to shine?

When will Benjamin Sesko finally start matches for Manchester United? It is a question that continues to circle among supporters.

The Slovenian striker arrived for £74m as one of Europe’s most sought-after young forwards. Yet his only start in four appearances so far came against League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.

Ruben Amorim has been clear that he wants to manage Sesko’s adaptation to English football carefully. But there is also a tactical explanation for his limited role.

READ MORE | The decision to let Rasmus Hojlund leave

Mason Mount is in his best spell of form and fitness since his £55m move from Chelsea in 2023. Amorim is a strong admirer of the 26-year-old, whose energy and intelligence fit the demands of a 3-4-3 system, just as they once did under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.

Mount’s first two years at Old Trafford were undermined by injuries. Now, there are signs that more productive days may finally lie ahead.