From Grimsby Shame to Burnley Relief: Amorim to Be Sacked?

Manchester United’s week was a microcosm of life under Ruben Amorim. It began with humiliation from League Two opposition, eliminated from the League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town after a 2-2 draw and subsequent 12-11 penalty defeat. It ended with late relief against recently promoted Burnley at Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes burying a 97th-minute penalty to seal a 3-2 win. The extremes told the story: Amorim’s team can look aggressive and threatening in transition, but they also look disjointed and predictable when asked to control matches.

The Grimsby tie was historic for the wrong reasons. In the modern era, United had never lost to a fourth-tier side in a cup competition. Yet, Grimsby went into halftime leading by two after they capitalized on another Andre Onana error. Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire saved United late, but there was no redeeming that performance. Even the shootout underlined the dysfunction. Onana saved once, but got hands to efforts that still went in on multiple occasions. Matheus Cunha could have won it, but his weak attempt was saved. Even after Benjamin Šeško converted United’s tenth, which raised alarm bells of its own, Mbeumo struck the bar in sudden death. Grimsby’s players admitted they had spotted Onana’s tendency to dive early. Their manager said it was a psychological exercise they were ready for. For United, it was an absolute humiliation.

Three days later, against Burnley, the players responded with energy. United started on the front foot, pressing high and attacking directly. Mason Mount nicked the ball from Hannibal Mejbri, and Fernandes nearly created the opener for Mbeumo. Cunha hounded Martin Dubravka constantly. Amad Diallo missed an open net from Mbeumo’s cross, but Amorim praised his effort after he later won the penalty that decided the game. Bryan Mbeumo added a well-taken strike, supplied by Diogo Dalot after a long kick from Altay Bayındır and a flick from Joshua Zirkzee. It was a clear training-ground move and demonstrates progress. 

Yet the flaws remain obvious. Burnley’s first equaliser came because Jacob Bruun Larsen had time to cross despite five men across United’s back line. Lyle Foster finished unmarked, with Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt caught out of position. Their second goal came when Bayındır palmed a shot right to Jaidon Anthony. He may be keeping Onana out in the league for now, but neither keeper looks remotely reliable. At the other end, Fernandes’ penalty in the 97th minute saved the day, but United again needed a moment rather than a pattern to beat a team they are far more talented and expensive than they are.

The tactical questions continue. United’s best chances come in transition, with Cunha, Mbeumo, Amad, and eventually Šeško stretching defenses while Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro look long and early. Against teams that leave space, this works. Against low blocks, United look short of ideas. Too often, half the burden falls on Dalot, swinging in crosses from the left with his weaker foot. When wing-backs get the burden of being the primary creators against a low block in a 5-2-3, the attack becomes predictable. Amad is not a natural chance creator from the line—at least right now. Patrick Dorgu looks uncomfortable in that role. Dalot’s weak foot is not the consistent answer. The result is sterile possession, endless recycling, and hopeful crosses.

Amorim has said he wants United to control games after taking the lead, but Burnley showed why that breaks down. Instead of compactness throughout the XI, there are wide gaps that echo the core problems we saw under Ten Hag. Instead of patient buildup, United funnels play into awkward areas without the requisite specialists to take advantage. Amorim prefers attacking large spaces with speed and directness, and that is why his side often looks more dangerous against stronger teams that push high. Yet, when they face a side that sits deep in a compact low block, United still have no consistent solutions. Fans and analysts alike are pointing to the imbalance: Fernandes playing too deep, wingers displaced, wing-backs that don’t fit the necessary characteristics burdened with creating.

The absence of Kobbie Mainoo in the Premier League only adds to the chaotic feeling around the club. He played 45 minutes against Burnley after requesting a loan and being rejected earlier in the week, and he looked sharp, winning duels and spreading play. His switch to Dalot almost created a goal for Sesko. Still, Amorim explained he sees Mainoo competing with Bruno for the deeper midfield role, and when he needed to shore up the side, he turned to Manuel Ugarte instead. Many fans were stupefied, especially after watching Maguire sent up top late against Fulham a week earlier. It felt like a regression to the desperate days of Erik ten Hag.

However, this is where taking a step back is needed. It has only been three league games. United have four points and endured a humiliating cup exit. Yet, the play in the Premier League has undeniably been more cohesive than last season. Against Arsenal, they pressed and moved the ball with purpose. Against Fulham, they faded but still carved out chances early. Against Burnley, they created great chances and finished strongly. The finishing has been poor, but the framework and performances from new signings have at least been visible.

That is why sacking Amorim now would be an enormous mistake. United invested heavily this summer, mainly adding Cunha, Sesko, and Mbeumo to fit his system. They’ve expelled Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, Anthony Garnacho to Chelsea, and Jadon Sancho and Antony to whatever club will still take them at United’s price. Who is to say that the next manager that comes in won’t feel a desire for direct, talented wingers? To pull the plug after three league matches would be to repeat the same cycle of panic that has undermined the club for a decade. The squad is more together than it has been recently. The football has flaws, but at least it looks like it belongs to a team with a plan. Fans and pundits can be frustrated by missed chances and clumsy defending, but patience is necessary. To fire Amorim now would be to waste the summer’s planning, destabilize a squad that has already shown progress in patches, and throw United back into the death spiral fans are all too familiar with. It is not yet clear how high Amorim can take this team; the last year has not inspired great confidence. Yet, what is clear is that ending the project after three weeks would be repeating the same mistakes all over again.