MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs have taken the brave decision to continue backing Ruben Amorim, despite Sunday’s mauling in the Manchester derby.
Amorim, 40, saw his side lose 3-0 in a horror show at the Etihad, with United miles off the pace in a flat performance.
This has left the Old Trafford outfit with their worst start to a league season since 1992, and followed an historic exit from the second round of the League Cup against fourth-tier Grimsby last month.
SunSport understands some United stars are losing faith in Amorim as he persists with his 3-4-3 shape, though this was denied by the club’s hierarchy.
However, the underlying numbers suggest there might be some method the madness of keeping faith with the former Sporting Lisbon boss – who has the worst win rate of any United manager since World War Two.
Last season, the Red Devils had an alarming attacking record in the Premier League.
They ranked in the bottom half for shots on target, goals, shot conversion and expected goals.
United were also eighth for touches in the opposition box and passes played into the box and were sixth for total shots.
But this season, relative to their rivals, the Red Devils have seen a dramatic improvement in the attacking department.
United now rank top in the league on total shots and touches in the opposition box.
They are second for expected goals, fourth for shots on target and fifth for passes into the box.
That being said, work still needs to be done to break into the top half for goals and shot conversion rate.
Both of those metrics have seen an an improvement, but a shot conversion of just 5.7 per cent underlines the key reason why United are not winning games.
United’s early season numbers had looked even more impressive during the international break, as SunSport highlighted four reasons for fans to be excited going forward.
But a flat display against Manchester City saw many negative feelings resurface among the fanbase.
Amorim is preparing for his underperforming team – currently 14th in the Premier League – to host Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Chelsea are fifth in the league with two wins and two draws from their opening four games, all of which were London derbies.
The occasion could be a real grudge match with the return of former United star Alejandro Garnacho, who was trolled after his mistake against Brentford cost the Blues a win last weekend.
Man Utd ratings vs Man City: Mbeumo forces wonder save from Donnarumma but that’s as good as it gets
MANCHESTER UNITED’S miserable start to the season continued after they were brushed aside by neighbours Man City.
Ruben Amorim’s side were unable to come back with a bang after the international break, falling to a 3-0 away defeat.
Phil Foden opened the scoring for City after just 18 minutes with a glancing header that gave Altay Bayindir – keeping his spot despite the arrival on Ssnne Lammens – little chance to stop.
While Erling Haaland did what he does best by bagging a second-half brace to put the hosts out of reach.
United now sit 14th in the table, with City leapfrogging them with their second win of the season.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated each Man Utd players performance…
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