Manchester United
Ratcliffe Visits Carrington for Scheduled Talks with Amorim amid United Slump
Ratcliffe met Amorim at Carrington to discuss United’s slump. Amorim refuses to alter 3-4-2-1 today.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe attended United’s Carrington training ground on Thursday for prearranged meetings with club officials that included manager Ruben Amorim. The visit, which saw Ratcliffe’s helicopter land at Carrington, was reported by The Athletic and covered discussions about the team’s recent form.
Amorim has insisted he does not plan to change his divisive 3-4-2-1 formation and warned United they would have to sack him if they want something different. That stance follows a third defeat in five games at the weekend. There are not thought to be plans to part ways with Amorim at this stage. The manager is understood to be entitled to a termination fee of £12 million if he departs in the first year of his contract.
Those present described the Thursday meeting between Ratcliffe and Amorim as part of a longer-term schedule rather than an immediate response to the latest result. Ratcliffe and the manager are said to have discussed the squad’s performances and broader issues affecting the coaching staff with the aim of working through the current onfield slump.
Recent reporting has highlighted concerns among United decision makers about Amorim’s mannerisms during matches and press conferences. It has been suggested that his difficulty containing emotion on those occasions has produced several high-profile headlines. Despite that, the general feeling inside the dressing room is reported to remain supportive of the manager, though some players are said to be growing frustrated by his refusal to explore alternative tactical setups.
The meetings at Carrington were described as constructive by those briefed on the discussions. Ratcliffe’s presence was framed as part of club oversight while the board and coaching staff consider how best to arrest the run of results and restore consistency on the pitch.
Man Utd
Mbeumo: Players, Not Amorim’s System, Must Own Man Utd’s Form
Bryan Mbeumo rejects tactical blame for Man Utd struggles and says players must improve together….
Bryan Mbeumo has pushed back on the notion that Ruben Amorim’s tactical setup is the root cause of Manchester United’s early issues. Signed this summer to help United adapt to the new arrangement after operating both as a striker and a winger in a similar role at Brentford, Mbeumo urged focus on the squad’s response rather than the system itself.
“It’s a little different for me,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve played this system in the past as well.” Mbeumo argued that external criticism should not distract the players from finding positives and fixing details on the pitch.
His remarks follow similar comments from defender Matthijs de Ligt, who has asked team-mates to shoulder more responsibility for results instead of directing blame at Amorim. Mbeumo expanded on that position, emphasising collective accountability.
“I think everyone in the team needs to take responsibility,” Mbeumo continued. “When you play in a club this big, everyone needs to know what to do. As a team, we need to do better.” The forward made clear he sees the issues as fixable and linked to the squad adapting to each other rather than a fundamental flaw in tactical shape.
Despite the turbulence surrounding the club’s start, Mbeumo said his early months at Old Trafford have been positive. He highlighted the challenge of building combinations with new team-mates and expressed confidence in improvement as players grow accustomed to each other.
“It’s exciting, because we get to learn to play with new players and it’s always challenging, but that’s what we like as footballers,” he added. “Of course it will improve, we haven’t played a lot together, so there are certain things that we’re going to improve, and there are different types of players, but it’s good to be with them.”
Manchester United
Tyrell Malacia Rejoins Manchester United First-Team Training
Malacia returns to United first-team training after Elche move collapsed late in the summer window..
Tyrell Malacia has been recalled to Manchester United’s senior group after failing to complete a summer exit. The left back had been close to a move to Elche late in the window, but that transfer collapsed at the eleventh hour, leaving the Dutch defender at Old Trafford.
According to reports, Ruben Amorim has “reintegrated” Malacia into the first-team setup and the player will soon return to training at Carrington with the senior squad. Until now Malacia had been working with the Under-21s as he rebuilt fitness following a long spell out.
When he rejoins the senior group he will be part of a left-back cohort that includes Patrick Dorgu, Diego León and Luke Shaw, although Shaw has been utilised as a centre back this season. The decision to bring Malacia back is not thought to stem from injury problems in the squad or the club’s poor start, with the Red Devils having lost four of their opening seven matches in all competitions this season.
Malacia arrived at United from Feyenoord in a move valued at £13 million ($17.6 million), one of Erik ten Hag’s Eredivisie signings. His progression at the club has been derailed by injuries. He missed the entirety of the 2023–24 season with a knee injury and, since returning from treatment, has managed just eight appearances for United.
The collapsed switch to Elche leaves Malacia with a fresh opportunity to re-establish himself within the senior group. Training with the first team under Amorim will allow the left back to continue his recovery in the club environment and compete for minutes alongside the other options available to the coaching staff.
Manchester United
Cunha’s Stark Dressing-Room Verdict After 3–1 Defeat Highlights Deeper Issues
‘Horrible. Honestly, horrible,’ Matheus Cunha said after United’s 3–1 defeat urging team to improve
Matheus Cunha delivered a blunt assessment of the mood inside the dressing room after Manchester United’s 3–1 loss to Brentford on Saturday. The summer signing said the state of the squad after the defeat was clear and unsettling.
“Horrible. Honestly, horrible,” he told TNT Sports. “I always say the same, we know how important it is to play for a club like this one and we go for every game to win. For it not to end like that, it is a horrible feeling. Everyone wanted to do more, everyone needs to do more. Of course, we need to go again, that’s only the way.
“Honestly, trying to find excuses, I don’t think is the way. We know what you need to do. I don’t think we did well. They were more fit, they arrived and scored goals, but like I say, that is not an excuse.”
Cunha was signed to inject life into an attack that has struggled. He was brought in to revitalise a stagnant attack alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško but has yet to record a goal involvement. Among the three summer signings, they have managed just two goals.
The trio started together for the first time this season. The Slovenian scored his first goal and Mbeumo won a penalty, but captain Bruno Fernandes failed to convert from the spot for the second time this season.
Results like Saturday’s have intensified scrutiny over the coaching situation. Questions surrounding Amorim’s future are likely to continue given the continued struggles. Players like Harry Maguire have previously cited the benefit of a full preseason under the Portuguese boss over the summer, though the defence continues to be a worry.
Manchester United now host Sunderland on Oct. 4 before the next international break, then face league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on their return. In goal, Senne Lammens is still awaiting a debut as Altay Bayındır keeps the starting spot following the loan departure of André Onana.
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