Ruben Amorim faces Man Utd sack before Christmas - the writing's on the wall

If the Premier League season started when Ruben Amorim took over at Manchester United last November, right now they would be 17th with only eight wins in 31 games. Averaging just a point per game since then, United have collected 37 less than leaders Liverpool and almost 20 less than any club occupying the English top-flight's European places. Of the 17 ever-present Premier League teams, none have performed worse than United in that time.

To make matters worse, despite Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation which should theoretically make United harder to beat - the Red Devils have a -13 goal difference after those 31 games. Only one club, West Ham (-17), have a worse record. Compare United's statistics to how the other big six clubs have fared since the 12th matchday of the 2024-25 season...

1st) Liverpool - P31, GD +35, 68 PTS

2nd) Arsenal - P31, GD +37, 64 PTS

3rd) Chelsea - P31, GD +19, 58 PTS

4th) Man City - P31, GD +23, 54 PTS

...

16th) Tottenham - P31, GD -4, 31 PTS

17th) Man Utd - P31, GD -17, 31 PTS

While this season represents a fresh start of sorts for Amorim after his first proper transfer window, the Portuguese coach needs more tangible evidence of improvement - and fast. The performance at Manchester City was pitiful. Just two shots on target and only one came from inside the penalty area.

United might have had more possession and more touches inside the opposition box but City were the team in control. Already, Champions League football is looking a long shot for this team if Amorim remains in charge. And the brutal truth is that it's harder and harder to see him lasting beyond Christmas.

Four points from four games is the club's worst start to a league season in 33 years. No United manager has a worse win percentage than Amorim since the Second World War. The other team locked on 31 points over their last 31 league games are Spurs. They already look a better team after four games under Thomas Frank than United do after nearly eight times more matches under Amorim.

Spurs went to City last month and recorded an impressive 2-0 win courtesy of their resolute defending. United, meanwhile, were far too stretched once going 1-0 down at the same stadium. Some of that can be put down to individual mistakes. But the system left United exposed yesterday. The gaps in midfield were too big and Bruno Fernandes isn't a central midfielder. End of. He doesn't have the defensive discipline, regardless of the fact is a very willing presser. Sometimes, in a deeper role, that hinders more than it helps.

The shape United were in for Erling Haaland's second goal, and City's third, was comical. Amorim has made it clear he won't divert from his tactics. Fine. But when his team have a game to chase, as they did after Phil Foden's opener against City, the captain and Manuel Ugarte need more support. That is a problem the manager must address in the coming weeks if he wants to keep his job.

"I understand how football is and results dictate all the narratives. We are doing better but the results don't show that. I understand the record and I understand the decision that comes with that," was Amorim's reaction to the events at the Etihad.

"My message is I am going to give everything and do everything that is best for the club. Then it is not my decision, the last. Until I am here, I will do my best and I am suffering more than them."

In a poll for followers of Express Sport's Man Utd WhatsApp channel, exactly 70 per cent voted that Amorim should be sacked. Not in a few weeks or months' time - but right now.

Fortunately for Amorim, the United hierarchy won't yet agree with that assessment. It is still too early in the campaign to depose the incumbent manager. But their next five Premier League matches before the first anniversary of Amorim's appointment - November 1 - will be pivotal: Chelsea (H), Brentford (A), Sunderland (H), Liverpool (A), Brighton (H).

"Another defeat and big questions would start to be asked," was United legend Gary Neville's verdict while looking ahead to Chelsea's trip to Old Trafford. It's getting harder and harder to see Amorim still being in charge when the teams meet again at Stamford Bridge in April.