Ruben Amorim delivered a brutally honest assessment of Manchester United’s struggles, describing his team as “the worst in the club’s history” following a dismal 3-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The defeat marked United’s sixth loss in 11 Premier League games under Amorim, who took over in November after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal. The Portuguese manager’s candid admission highlighted the deep crisis at the 20-time English champions.
“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,” Amorim said. “I know you want headlines, but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and change it. Here you go: your headlines.”
Sunday’s loss left United languishing in 13th place, 10 points clear of the relegation zone but far from safe based on current form. Yankuba Minteh’s early strike for Brighton set the tone for another lifeless United performance.
Bruno Fernandes briefly gave fans hope with a penalty equalizer before half-time, but second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter deepened United’s turmoil.
The statistics are damning. United have suffered six home league defeats this season the most in their opening 12 matches since the 1893-94 campaign. They have also lost 10 of their 22 league games this season, the fastest they have reached double-digit losses since 1989-90.
“Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me. We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that,” Amorim said, acknowledging the mounting pressure on his leadership.
Amorim, 39, arrived from Sporting Lisbon with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches. However, his preferred 3-4-3 system has failed to suit United’s squad. Despite calls for tactical changes, Amorim remains steadfast in his philosophy.
“I am not going to change, no matter what. I know we can succeed, but we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now,” he said.
The loss came on the same day United paid tribute to club legend Denis Law, who passed away on Friday aged 84. Fans honored Law with scarves, flowers, and a minute’s applause before kick-off, but the team’s performance would have deeply saddened the legendary striker, immortalized in the “Holy Trinity” statue outside Old Trafford.
“In nine games in the Premier League, we won two,” Amorim admitted. “Everybody here is underperforming, no matter what the circumstances. It’s unacceptable to lose so many games, for any Premier League club imagine Manchester United.”
Brighton’s dominance over United—six wins in their last seven league meetings further underscores the steep decline of a club that last won the Premier League in 2013.
Amorim now faces a critical Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday, desperate to lift the mood at Old Trafford.
“I knew it was going to be hard to put a completely new idea in, but when you lose games and don’t win three in a row, it becomes really hard,” Amorim said. “We are breaking all the bad records, and we need to change that, fast.”