By Martin Graham
Ruben Amorim did not hide his emotions after Manchester United’s 1-1 stalemate with West Ham.
“Frustrated, angry,” he said immediately, a reaction that echoed around Old Trafford as sections of the home support voiced their displeasure at full-time. His comments also matched the sentiments of former skipper Roy Keane, who described the mood around United with similar language and questioned the reliability of the current squad.
Keane argued that while there is attacking potential, glaring flaws remain in defense and midfield — issues he believes continue to undermine progress.
Amorim spoke with unusual irritation, though he insisted he was composed. He stressed there would be no repeat of his outburst after January’s Brighton defeat, when he injured himself and damaged equipment in the dressing room.
Instead, he intends to address concerns calmly at Carrington, convinced that immediate criticism after a match only fuels unnecessary tension. However, he was clear about where things went wrong.
The United manager recognized exactly why his players failed to preserve the second-half advantage given to them by Diogo Dalot. And he understood how Soungoutou Magassa reacted quickest after Noussair Mazraoui’s goal-line block from Jarrod Bowen’s flicked header, firing in his first Premier League strike with seven minutes remaining.
Nuno Espírito Santo believed his side merited the leveller, noting West Ham had collected only two points away from home since their solitary road victory at Nottingham Forest in August.
For Amorim, the decisive moment came from a simple situation: a long pass, lost duels, and a costly set piece.
The United boss highlighted that “second balls” often depend on structure and personnel. He emphasized that allowing a much taller opponent a late corner was avoidable.
But the deeper problem is that this scenario is repeating itself too often. Keane summed it up best: short bursts of promise, followed by failure to finish the job.
Progress or illusion?
On 1 November at Nottingham Forest, United were within reach of second place but allowed a lead to slip and required an equalizer to escape with a draw.
A week later at Tottenham, a similar collapse produced another late rescue.
After the international break, a win over Everton would have pushed the side into the Champions League positions — instead, they were beaten at home by ten men. This latest setback fits the same pattern: a chance to rise, thrown away in the closing stages.
United are now eighth, part of a congested group of 11 clubs separated by only four points. The team’s identity remains unclear — encouraging, ordinary, or underwhelming.
Most agree that improvement has been made, though rising from last season’s 15th place was always expected after spending more than £200m.
Amorim collected manager of the month in October for a run of three victories, yet the current sequence stands at one success from five.
Concerns are growing that momentum has stalled, but Amorim dismisses the idea of regression. He admits his squad is inconsistent but insists that difficult phases are normal in a long campaign.
He remains irritated by the nature of the late goal conceded, arguing the situation looked under control until his players reacted poorly to one long clearance. United, he insists, must simply handle those moments more effectively.
Another test awaits at the bottom
Next comes a trip to Wolves, who sit at the foot of the division and have beaten no one.
Once again, United will play the final fixture of a Premier League round, and once again, there will be a clear target they can reach with three points. But with each missed opportunity, the stakes — and expectations — continue to fall.
Amorim’s men cannot afford another stumble against the league’s struggling side.
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