New Delhi: Having secured just one point from a possible six in their first two matches in the Premier League 2025-26 season, Manchester United’s disastrous start has once again intensified pressure on manager Ruben Amorim. Despite United having revamped their attack with £200 million worth of new forward signings, they failed to fire, adding to Amorim’s woes.
New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo made their second start together, while Benjamin Sesko once again came off the bench, but the trio failed to find the back of the net against Fulham on Sunday. United conceded their lead to draw 1-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage as they continued their winless run in the ongoing season.
Bruno Fernandes squandered a golden opportunity to score the first goal of the season by a United player and possibly secure his team’s first Premier League victory in their ongoing campaign when he sent his penalty soaring over the bar. United did go ahead in the second half after a deflected header from was pushed into his own net by Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, however, their lead didn’t last too long.
United switched off after taking the lead and were quickly punished by Fulham, who equalised through substitute Emile Smith Rowe to snatch a draw in the game. The draw extended Amorim’s horror run in charge of the club ever since he took over from Erik Ten Hag midway through last season.
United’s woeful start to the new season means they have so far managed only low-key seven victories in 29 matches under Amorim in the Premier League. 7 wins in 29 matches gives the Portuguese a win percentage of only 24.1%, which makes for uncomfortable comparisons as it is similar to managers who have faced relegations in the past.
United were 14th in the Premier League, having secured three wins in nine matches when Ten Hag was sacked last season. Amorim took over the club in November and could only help them win seven matches out of 27 as they finished a disappointing 15th, while also losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur to finish trophyless.
There was significant optimism and a sense of cohesion with United heading into the new season under Amorim, with three quality additions to their squad and a focus on revamping the club’s culture both on and off the field. But only two games into the season, the feeling seems to be eroding as struggles of the past continue to haunt United.
The lack of goals was United’s biggest problem last season, and it seems to have persisted this season as their attack has appeared blunt. Despite creating multiple chances against both Arsenal and Fulham, United failed to capitalise on them and convert them into goals, which ultimately cost them points.
Besides United’s inability to convert chances, Amorim’s questionable tactics also raised eyebrows during the Fulham game. The decision to bring in Manuel Ugarte while keeping talented Kobie Mainoo as an unused substitute for a second straight game was criticised by many. Amorim’s decision to replace Amad Diallo with right-back Diogo Dalot, with United chasing the game, also left many surprised.
The substitution ultimately came back to haunt United as Dalot was at fault in the run-up to Smith Rowe’s equaliser for Fulham. During his post-match interview, Amorim admitted Fernandes was ‘upset’ and possibly not in the right mindset after missing his penalty. But despite his own admission, the United manager decided against substituting the Portuguese as United’s midfield was overrun by Fulham’s.
