New Boys at Old Trafford Already Questioning the Project
When your marquee summer buys start raising eyebrows this early, it’s never a good sign. According to GIVEMESPORT’s Ben Jacobs, a number of Manchester United’s recent arrivals are already unimpressed with how Ruben Amorim’s grand plan is playing out behind the scenes at Carrington.
United’s start has been stuttering: two wins, four defeats in seven, and a humbling Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two Grimsby Town. It all adds up to a manager under the microscope, with Amorim feeling the heat as quickly as the leaves have started to fall.
Promises vs Reality
Jacobs told The United Stand that several new recruits have been left cold because the tactical vision sold to them in the summer hasn’t mirrored the football they’ve found on the training pitch or on matchdays. No names were offered, but the suggestion is clear: the sales pitch sounded slick; the execution so far hasn’t matched it.
The Summer Spend and Who’s In
United pushed north of £200m to sharpen the forward line, bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Between the sticks, Senne Lammens arrived to replace Andre Onana after the Cameroonian departed on loan to Trabzonspor, while youngsters Diego Leon and Enzo Kana-Biyik also joined the ranks. Lammens hasn’t featured yet, but the attacking trio have seen minutes when fit.
Dressing Room Temperature
Most in the squad remain determined to make this system sing, per Jacobs, but there are exceptions—some of them surprisingly among the newest faces. That’s not unusual when the honeymoon period collides with hard reality. New signings want clarity: roles nailed down, rotations explained, and a style that plays to their strengths. Without that, you get frustration—and United have clearly felt a bit of that already.
Amorim Under Pressure—and Eyes on the Job
Jacobs also reported last week that United still want Amorim to make this work, but interest in the role exists elsewhere. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is said to fancy the job “in a heartbeat” if it ever came his way. That won’t help the mood if results continue to wobble.
What Needs to Change—Fast
Amorim’s principles—compactness without the ball, quick verticality with it—need clearer on-pitch expression. The spacing in midfield has to be tighter, the press more cohesive, and the chance creation for the new forwards more consistent. Get Mbeumo’s movement timed with earlier balls, give Sesko service to attack first-time, and let Cunha combine rather than chase lost causes. Do that, and the narrative shifts quickly.
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It’s early days, but Old Trafford doesn’t do patience forever. If Amorim can align his dressing room with the tactical brief he sold in the summer, the grumbles will fade. If not, the whispers about alternatives will only grow louder.
