Ruben Amorim Labels Manchester United the "Worst in Club's History" After Brighton Defeat

Manchester United’s turbulent season took another dismal turn on Sunday as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford. The result marked United’s sixth home loss in the Premier League this season, a stark reflection of their struggles under manager Ruben Amorim, who did not hold back in his post-match assessment.

"We are the worst team, maybe, in the history of Manchester United," Amorim declared, pulling no punches about the magnitude of the crisis engulfing the club. His candid remarks came after a performance that saw Brighton dominate United, leaving the 13-time Premier League champions in 13th place in the table and 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Brighton Expose United’s Fragility

From the first whistle, Brighton asserted control. Yankuba Minteh opened the scoring early, exploiting a shaky United defense that has become emblematic of the team’s struggles this season. While Bruno Fernandes briefly restored parity with a penalty before halftime, United failed to capitalize on the momentum. Second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter sealed a comfortable victory for Brighton, highlighting the gap in quality and cohesion between the two sides.

United managed just one shot on target from open play, underscoring their attacking inefficiency. Meanwhile, Brighton’s relentless pressing and creativity left United chasing shadows for much of the match.

A Season of Setbacks

The defeat compounded a growing sense of despair at Old Trafford. Since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, Amorim has managed just four Premier League wins, with seven losses in 15 matches. The team has now suffered 10 defeats in 22 league games this season—the earliest in a campaign they have reached double figures for losses since the 1989-90 season under Sir Alex Ferguson.

This season’s six home defeats are United’s most from their opening 12 home games in any league campaign since the 1893-94 season. These statistics underscore the scale of the challenge facing Amorim, who was hailed as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches when he arrived from Sporting Lisbon.

Despite his pedigree, Amorim’s tenure has been defined by inconsistency and a tactical system that appears ill-suited to the squad at his disposal. His preferred 3-4-3 formation has yet to yield the desired results, leaving players and fans alike frustrated.

Amorim: "We Need to Survive This Moment"

Amorim did not shy away from the realities of the situation, acknowledging that both the team and the fans are enduring an excruciating period. "Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me," he said. "We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that. I am not going to change, no matter what."

Despite the grim outlook, Amorim insisted on the need for perseverance. "I know we can succeed, but we need to survive this moment," he said. "I’m not naive; I know what the situation is, and I know we need to endure the suffering to come out stronger."

His comments reflected a determination to stay true to his footballing philosophy, even as doubts grow about its compatibility with the current squad. "I am not going to change the way I see the game," he added. "I am very clear on that. The players are going to suffer. I’m really sorry, the fans are going to suffer. But we need to survive this moment."

Confusion on the Pitch

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves weighed in on the team’s issues, suggesting that Amorim’s tactics may be contributing to the players’ struggles. "They never looked like scoring outside of the penalty," Hargreaves said. "Brighton were better in every aspect. Everybody is giving United trouble. Even Southampton, who are bottom of the league, caused them problems."

Hargreaves pointed to a disconnect between Amorim’s vision and the players’ execution. "It’s not just about playing your way; you’ve got to find a way to get results," he said. "The players are trying, but they’re probably confused because they’re trying to do what the manager wants, and it doesn’t seem to suit them."

Historic Low Points

The loss to Brighton came on the same day Manchester United paid tribute to club legend Denis Law, who passed away on Friday at the age of 84. The somber occasion was overshadowed by another reminder of the team’s current plight.

United’s 13th-place standing leaves them on track for their lowest-ever Premier League finish. Last season’s eighth-place finish was previously their worst, but Amorim’s side has struggled to even match that standard.

While they are still 10 points clear of the relegation zone, Amorim acknowledged that the threat of being dragged into a survival battle remains real. "It’s unacceptable to lose so many games, especially at Manchester United," he said. "But we have to keep going. There is no other way forward."

The Road Ahead

The pressure on Amorim is mounting as United head into a critical stretch of games against Newcastle and Bournemouth. Both matches will test the team’s resolve and their ability to adapt to the manager’s demands.

Despite the challenges, Amorim remains steadfast in his belief that better days lie ahead. "We need to acknowledge where we are to change it," he said. "This is a hard moment, but we will continue. There is no other way."

For Manchester United fans, however, patience may be wearing thin as the club endures one of its darkest chapters in modern history.

Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Biswash Lamichhane, Unsplash / Javid Naderi