Manchester United faced another disappointing Premier League outing, succumbing to a 2-0 loss against Wolves on Boxing Day, adding to their recent string of poor performances under new manager Ruben Amorim.
Despite the mounting pressure, Amorim has remained resolute in his approach, stating, “I will continue with my idea until the end,” signaling his determination to stick with his strategies despite the setbacks.
The game saw Wolves’ Matheus Cunha deliver a stunning blow to United by scoring directly from a corner-kick, a rare feat that further underlined United’s vulnerabilities in defending set-pieces. This marked the fifth defeat in seven matches for Manchester United since Amorim’s appointment.
United’s challenges were exacerbated when captain Bruno Fernandes received a red card early in the second half. His reckless challenge on Nelson Semedo earned him a second yellow card, leaving United to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Alarmingly, United’s frailties at defending set-pieces have become a recurring issue under Amorim. Goals from corners have been conceded against Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Spurs, Bournemouth, and now Wolves. This troubling trend has raised questions about the team’s defensive organization.
Remarkably, this marks the first time in recent memory that United has allowed two goals directly from corner-kicks in a single week. Earlier in the Carabao Cup, Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min caught out stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayındır with a similar goal, and Wolves’ Matheus Cunha repeated the feat with a corner that floated untouched into the far corner of the net.
As United fans and pundits alike voice concerns over the team’s form, Amorim faces increasing scrutiny while staying steadfast in his belief that his ideas will eventually yield results.
