AFCON 2025
Manchester United’s disappointing season took another hit as the Red Devils will not be at Wembley to defend their FA Cup title.
Ruben Amorim’s men crashed out in the fifth round on penalties to Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.
Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee failed to convert their spot-kicks on the night as the Cottagers sealed a 4-3 win to progress into the quarter-finals of the oldest competition in the World.
Ruben Amorim, who took the job in November after the dismissal of Erik Ten Hag, is unrepentantly committed to ensuring the players play in a new set-up which brought him success at Sporting Lisbon.
While some players have been decent, others have struggled not just in performance on the pitch but also in poor attitudes and application in training and off the pitch.
According to Amorim, Marcus Rashford’s inability to do enough in training led to his ouster from the squad since December, before the academy graduate secured a loan move to Aston Villa in January.
The recent injuries to Amad Diallo and Lisanfro Martinez appear to have taken a toll on the squad. The duo, alongside captain Bruno Fernandes, are among the very few players that appear to be in tune with Amorim’s 3-4-3 system
Ruben Amorim, as things stand, will demand a few new years that suit his system in the summer.
However, given INEOS’ stringent financial cutdowns in recent months, that can only happen if some underperforming players, including one or two key ones, are sold.
1. Andre Onana
The Camerounian goalkeeper is unpredictable in between the sticks for the Reds Devils. Although Onana has had decent performances in several games this season, and since his arrival two years ago. His level of inconsistency is a worry.
Manchester United’s poor defense has unfortunately helped the former Inter Milan goalkeeper. Andre Onana lacks leadership in defense and doesn’t impose himself in the air well enough as the team has conceded a couple of goals from corner-kicks and set piece situations this season.
2. Rasmus Hojlund
The Danish striker has struggled to impress on a consistent run, even though he has been good in certain matches, especially in the Europa League. One of the shortcomings of the 22-year-old is his lack of movement and positioning in the opposition box. In addition, Hojlund struggles to hold up play for his teammates and struggles to win aerial duels. Ruben Amorim will need a striker that can provide these and more for his team ahead of next season.
3. Alejandro Garnacho
The Argentine teenager is a decent talent and a potential elite winger. He is arguably one of Amorim’s best players aside Bruno Fernandes, the injured Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, to name a minute few.
However, Garnacho’s lack of consistency is also a worry. The 20-year-old struggles with converting big chances and has poor shot selection. Garnacho ranks 8th on the log of players with the most big chances missed this season with 12.
Alejandro Garnacho’s poor attitude is a concern. The teenager walked straight into the dressing room after he was taken off at halftime in Manchester United’s 3-2 home win over Ipswich. He also refused to celebrate one of his league goals this season after a fan openly criticized him for not passing the ball.
Garnacho has been linked with a move to Napoli and he appears to be one of the very few players that can fetch the club a decent amount of money in the summer.
4. Luke Shaw
Sometimes you have to feel sorry for him because it is hard to remember when he was fit for at least three to six months since his arrival at Manchester United in 2014. Luke Shaw is a decent talent on his day, but has struggled to be fit since he returned from the career-ending injury where he suffered a double leg fracture in a Champions League fixture against PSV in 2015. Luke Shaw is unlikely to survive the clearouts at the end of the season even though his current contract ends in 2027.
5. Diogo Dalot
One of the underperforming players in Ruben Amorim’s set-up. The Portuguese winger struggles in defense and transitions. He also struggles with passes and crosses into dangerous areas for attackers to feed on. As of February 28, Dalot attempted 5+ crosses in four games, and in those games, he attempted 25 crosses, but only two were successful. None of his nine crosses in the home loss to Nottingham Forest were successful. Ruben Amorim’s set-up requires very mobile wing-backs with the abilities to help the team in defense and transitions, especially. The days of Dalot might just be numbered at the end of the season.
Manchester United will need to let players like Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Victor Lindelof go in what is likely to be a major clearout this summer.
