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.”

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.

Manchester United’s hierarchy remain publicly supportive of Ruben Amorim despite a run of concerning results and persistent rumours about his future. Multiple reports suggest the club could allow Amorim to complete the 2025–26 season, with figures at the club prepared to give him time to deliver.

Amorim openly accepted that the goals his side conceded from long balls this weekend were the exact scenarios they had prepared for over the previous week. Those defensive lapses are set against a record that shows United have not won a Premier League away game since March and that, since Amorim took over last November, no team has conceded the first goal as often as United (21 times).

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees all sporting matters at the club, is reported by the Daily Mail to be “refusing to panic” and prepared to stick by Amorim. BBC Sport adds that Ratcliffe will judge the manager only after he has had a “full season” with “the right team.” Amorim has managed 49 matches at United since his appointment and was backed in this summer’s transfer window.

The reports arrive amid speculation about a list of potential successors allegedly drawn up by the club. Names such as Sir Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter, the latter described as freshly sacked by West Ham United, have been mentioned in those rumours. Both outlets strongly refute that United are considering any replacements.

United were aiming to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time under Amorim on Saturday but failed to do so, and the side still have not collected two top-flight wins in the same month since January.

When confronted with those figures, Amorim remained defiant. “I am never concerned about my job—I am not that kind of guy,” he shrugged to Match of the Day. “It is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here.”