Manchester United’s new head coach, Ruben Amorim, faces one of the biggest tests of his career this Sunday. The Red Devils will visit the Etihad Stadium for the Manchester derby, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Amorim, who is just weeks into his tenure, risks setting an unwanted record if his team falls short against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
For United fans, it’s a nerve-wracking time. Back-to-back Premier League losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have left the club in 13th place — a far cry from their usual standards.
Another defeat would mark their first three-game losing streak in a single season since 2015, during Louis van Gaal’s reign.
For Amorim, the situation is even more personal. In his entire managerial career, spanning successful spells at Sporting Lisbon, Braga, and Casa Pia, he has never lost three consecutive league matches.
The Manchester derby could change that, and the pressure is mounting.
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How Ruben Amorim has performed at Manchester United so far?
Since taking charge of United, Amorim’s record has been mixed. In six matches, he has led the team to three wins, one draw, and two defeats.
While their Europa League form has been promising, with recent victories over Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen, their Premier League performance tells a different story.
United has secured just one league win under Amorim, alongside a draw and two losses. With the team sitting eight points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, hopes of a Champions League return next season are slipping away. The derby offers a chance for redemption, but it’s also a daunting challenge.
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What lies ahead for Man United?
The Manchester derby is just the beginning of a packed schedule for United. Next week, they’ll face Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Following that, a string of tough Premier League fixtures awaits, including matches against Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Newcastle United.
As the calendar flips to 2025, things don’t get any easier. January kicks off with a visit to Anfield to face Liverpool, followed by an FA Cup showdown with Arsenal. For Amorim and his squad, the festive period and the new year will be defining moments.
