As the calendar flips to 2025, Manchester United find themselves mired in unfamiliar territory. The once-dominant club currently sits 14th in the Premier League table, having endured their worst December in over 60 years. Despite the dismal run of form that led to the sacking of previous manager Erik ten Hag, current boss Ruben Amorim remains steadfast in his belief that brighter days lie ahead.
A Rocky Start for Amorim
Since taking over the reins at Old Trafford in October, the Portuguese tactician has struggled to steady the ship. United have lost six of their last eight matches across all competitions, including an embarrassing 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United to close out the year. The club now find themselves just seven points above the dreaded drop zone, an unthinkable predicament for a side of their stature.
Implementing a New System
Central to Amorim’s plan is a shift to a 3-4-3 formation, a drastic change from the tactical setup employed by his predecessor. The 39-year-old coach acknowledged the difficulties in implementing such a major overhaul mid-season, without the benefit of a proper preseason to drill the new system into his players.
“I understand they have a lot of difficulties because they spend two years playing one way and then they are playing another.”
– Ruben Amorim on Man Utd’s tactical transition
Amorim admitted his squad is currently “losing everything” they work on in training, lacking the foundational understanding to weather adversity within matches. Building that base will be crucial if the Red Devils hope to reverse their sliding fortunes.
Reason for Optimism
Despite the doom and gloom currently engulfing the Theatre of Dreams, Amorim struck an optimistic tone in a New Year’s Eve message to supporters. Posted to the club’s official X account, the United boss declared himself “very excited” about the club’s prospects for 2025, even while acknowledging the hard work ahead.
That positive outlook will be put to the test immediately, as Manchester United open the new year with a daunting trip to Anfield to face league-leading Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying Reds will surely fancy their chances against an out-of-sorts United side still grasping to master a new system.
The Road Ahead
For Amorim and United, 2025 represents a critical juncture. Failure to arrest their slide could see the unthinkable become reality: Manchester United dragged into a relegation scrap. The January transfer window provides an opportunity to reinforce the squad, but integrating new faces into a struggling side is always a dicey proposition.
- Can Amorim’s system finally click?
- Will key players adapt to new roles?
- Can new signings make an immediate impact?
These are the questions that will define Manchester United’s 2025. If Amorim can find the answers, his New Year’s optimism may prove more than just idle talk. But if the club’s woes persist, Old Trafford could be in for a long, dispiriting year.
As the Premier League prepares to enter a new year, all eyes will be trained on the red half of Manchester. Can one of football’s true heavyweights regain its footing? Or will 2025 go down as the season the unthinkable came to pass? The next chapter in Manchester United’s storied history is about to be written.
