RUBEN AMORIM is certainly not stupid and he can read the room at Old Trafford.
Although, in his previous appearance at the Theatre of Dreams, this also saw him witness a leaking roof in his post-match press conference… which sums up the state of Manchester United right now.
Yet the Portuguese coach knows all about the importance of having a connection with supporters and he can clearly see Red Devils’ fans are all “tired” with the situation at their shambolic club.
Amorim has only been at United just over a month but the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat at Wolves was his fifth in seven games since taking charge in the wake of Erik ten Hag’s sacking.
And now he must prepare for Monday’s visit of in-form Newcastle.
The former Sporting Lisbon chief, 39, has a contract until 2027 and maintains that is enough time for him to be judged.
He is not being helped by arriving in such a toxic situation with fans disillusioned at the way United have been run on and off the pitch.
Yet Amorim’s problem is that, over the last few weeks, the team has gone BACKWARDS.
United’s last home game was Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth — which is when the roof started leaking on him.
Incredibly, it was the club’s fourth Prem defeat at Old Trafford this season.
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Eddie Howe’s team will arrive on a run of four successive wins, so a game against Newcastle is the last thing United need.
Yet Amorim insisted: “We have to fight against everything because our supporters are always there, but they are tired of this moment.
“It’s part of football to have these difficult moments. I already knew that it was going to be tough.
“You expect to win more games, to have players with more confidence to sell the idea and to work and improve things.
“At this moment it’s really hard. We have to survive to have time and then to improve the team.”
Amorim cannot be faulted for his honesty. He also conceded that the mood at Old Trafford could be tense whenever Newcastle attack.
He added: “We have to expect that any play from Newcastle near our box is going to make the stadium nervous and our players have to cope with that.
“It’s a very strong team with a lot of pace, with a lot of time working with the same coach. We want to be competitive and try to win the game, that’s all.”
This is currently the worst United team in half a century — which is incredible when you consider how much money has been spent in recent seasons.
It is not just the absence of quality, either. There is a lack of belief and energy and the team is so predictable.
There is no reason why United cannot beat Newcastle. But equally, it would not be a surprise if they were crushed 4-0.
After the loss against Wolves, Amorim admitted that the side had to “survive” in the Premier League as they sit 14th in the table, eight points off the relegation zone.
Another worry is that United are struggling at corners and free-kicks. They have conceded ten goals from set-pieces this term — five of them coming under Amorim’s command.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana was beaten by Matheus Cunha’s corner at Molineux seven days after Tottenham’s Son Heung-min did the same to Altay Bayindir in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.
The fact that Wolves had practised trying to score direct from corners during the week showed there is an issue as Onana is not being protected by his defenders.
Amorim admitted: “Set-pieces are becoming so important. We have to learn, even with the small guys.”
United’s new coach was also asked whether Red Devils’ fans can play a part against Newcastle by ramping up the atmosphere on Monday.
But he said: “I would not dare to ask anything of our fans. They give us everything: a full stadium, they’re always supporting, clapping loss after loss.
“I just want to give something to the fans, not ask something of them.”
United will be without captain Bruno Fernandes after his red card at Wolves.
Although the Portuguese playmaker’s dismissal at Spurs in September was overturned, he continues to walk a disciplinary tightrope and cannot be trusted.
Asked if former skipper Harry Maguire could be reinstated, Amorim said: “He will have to wait until the game.
“He works really well. He’s focused on the job, not what people say. He does not make excuses, even if he had some tough moments.
“I think in that department he is an example, so he is there to play to help the team. He’s trying to do that.”
By Ken Lawrence
WOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United’s struggles continued.
The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.
United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes’ red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.
Here is how SunSport rated the performances…
ANDRE ONANA: 4
He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal – his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.
LENY YORO: 5
Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.
HARRY MAGUIRE: 6
The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods – at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6
Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5
Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch – Cunha.
MANUEL UGARTE: 5
Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.
KOBBIE MAINOO: 5
Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.
DIOGO DALOT: 6
Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United – but he had no major influence on a poor team display.
AMAD DIALLO: 5
Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.
BRUNO FERNANDES: 3
Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.
RASMUS HOJLUND: 5
Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.
SUBS
Casemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6
Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6
Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6
Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5
