Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim Under Increasing Scrutiny After Another Defeat at Brentford

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is finding himself under sharper criticism following his team’s latest setback in the Premier League. United’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford not only denied them the chance to secure back-to-back league victories but also highlighted deeper problems that have plagued the club during Amorim’s 10 months in charge. With only nine wins from his 33 league matches and no consecutive victories to date, questions are growing louder about his ability to turn United’s fortunes around.

Missed Opportunity to Build Momentum

United arrived in west London, aiming for something that once came naturally to the club, stringing together two league wins in a row. Yet, what used to be standard for Manchester United has become a daunting milestone under Amorim. The optimism generated by last week’s win over Chelsea quickly evaporated, as United failed to show the urgency their manager described before kickoff. Amorim had labeled the clash at Brentford as “the most important in a long time,” but his players could not back up those words on the pitch.

Instead of building on the momentum from their victory against Chelsea, United slumped back into the bottom half of the table. That inconsistency continues to haunt Amorim’s tenure and leaves many wondering what direction the club is heading.

Tactical Issues Remain Unresolved

The recurring criticism centers on United’s system. Amorim has stuck stubbornly to a three-at-the-back formation, but the real problem lies in how his midfield is structured. Once again, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, deployed as a two-man pivot, were exposed and overrun. Brentford exploited the weakness with their midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Yehor Yarmoliuk, and Mikkel Damsgaard, ensuring control in the center of the pitch.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, still in his first season as a senior head coach, adjusted his side smartly. By shifting from a back five to a back four, he created overloads in midfield that United struggled to cope with. After the game, Andrews openly explained how his approach targeted United’s midfield imbalance. It was a simple tactical move that demonstrated adaptability, something Amorim seemed reluctant to show, as he finished the match with Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo operating as wing-backs.

Amorim, however, dismissed the idea that his system is the root of the problem. “It’s always the same, when we win it’s not the system, when we lose it’s the system,” he argued afterward. But until United proves they can dominate opponents with a full-strength squad, those tactical choices will continue to draw criticism.

Mounting Pressure and Worrying Numbers

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville warned earlier in the season that if the team found themselves in the bottom half by October, Amorim’s job security would be in jeopardy. That prediction has become reality after this loss.

Despite spending more than £200 million in the summer on a new attacking trio, United’s frontline struggled to inspire. Benjamin Sesko managed his first goal for the club, but the partnership with Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo lacked cohesion. The heavy investment has yet to translate into performances that justify the spending, further fueling the frustration among supporters.

Amorim’s record speaks for itself. Nine wins from 33 league games give him a win rate of just 27.3 percent—the lowest of any United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Results, more than anything else, will decide his fate. While club executives have continued to voice support for him, another defeat, especially with Sunderland visiting Old Trafford next week, would intensify the pressure heading into the international break.

When asked about job security, Amorim insisted he is unconcerned. “I’m always comfortable with the job. I will do the best I can in every minute that I’m here. I’m never concerned for my job, I’m not that kind of guy,” he told BBC Sport. Still, patience at United is not limitless, and setbacks like the one at Brentford only shorten the timeline for change.

United’s Mental Fragility Exposed

Perhaps even more worrying than tactics is the mental fragility Amorim’s side displays, especially away from Old Trafford. United have developed a worrying trend this season: whenever they concede the first goal in a league match, they go on to lose.

At home, the energy of the Old Trafford crowd has helped United start fast in games against Chelsea, Burnley, and Fulham. But on the road, the team looks a shadow of itself. Against Brentford, there was no sign of the aggression or intensity that brought them victory a week earlier.

The defeat extends United’s winless run away from home in the league to eight matches. Their last away win came in March against Leicester City, a team that was relegated just a month later. Before that, the previous victory was at Fulham in January, and even that relied on a deflected Lisandro Martinez strike. The inability to impose themselves outside Manchester is a significant barrier to building the consistency Amorim desperately seeks.

Searching for consistency and belief

Amorim himself admitted after the Brentford defeat that United’s season feels like “ups and downs.” He acknowledged the difficulty of creating momentum, explaining that every win seems to be followed by a setback that resets the team’s progress. “Sometimes you see improvements that give you confidence, and then sometimes you have games that take it all away,” he said.

Ten months into his tenure, Amorim has yet to string together two consecutive league victories. For a club that prides itself on sustained success, that statistic is alarming. The lack of rhythm not only frustrates fans but also prevents players from building belief in the system.

What Comes Next?

United now face a pivotal moment. Sunderland’s visit to Old Trafford offers Amorim a chance to stabilize the season, but anything less than a win could push the club’s leadership into a difficult decision. While Amorim has already offered to step down on more than one occasion, his employers have resisted making a change.

Still, history shows that managers at Manchester United cannot survive long without results. The goodwill from supporters is fading, and without immediate improvement, Amorim risks being remembered as another failed experiment in the post-Ferguson era.

For now, the message remains the same: results are the only cure. Until Amorim can deliver consistent wins, especially away from home, scrutiny will only intensify, and the prospect of another managerial change at Old Trafford will loom larger.