While it was accepted that Ruben Amorim would need time to oversee progress at Old Trafford, few could have predicted that the Portuguese manager would admit that Manchester United were in a relegation battle within two months of taking the job.
A fourth successive defeat in their final competition of 2024 means the Red Devils are 14th in the Premier League table and seven points above the relegation zone.
Their performance on Monday night at their 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle did not suggest a team capable of staging any kind of revival any time soon. However, things may have turned out differently for the hosts had Amorim refused to commit the 64-year-old midfielder against the in-form Premier League engine room.
Perhaps the new manager will take solace in knowing his side at least competed for the final hour against the Magpies, but there is still a sense that things could get worse for the Red Devils before they get better.
A busy January is on the horizon with United involved in three competitions. Here’s a preview of their next five games.
It’s just what the doctor ordered…
A daunting journey to the league leaders tempts Amorim’s fragile outfit, with Liverpool enter their opening match in 2025 in furious form. The Reds have a healthy lead at the top of the division and have been scoring goals at a constant rate lately.
They have beaten Tottenham by six and West Ham by five in two of their previous three away games. Arne Slot’s side have lost just once in the league all season and will aim to put their big rivals on the line on Sunday.
Liverpool won the reverse fixture at Old Trafford 3-0 while Erik ten Hag was still in town and United have not tasted victory at Anfield since January 2016.
United struggled to lay down the gauntlet Arsenal when the two sides met in north London on December 4, but a relatively solid defensive display was undermined by their inability to contain the Gunners from set pieces. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba were on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win.
The once fierce rivals meet again in the third round of the FA Cup. With United exiting the Carabao Cup in December and mid-table of their Premier League cap, this competition has undoubted importance for the Amors this term. They are, of course, the holders, and will certainly face a rotated Gunners squad at the Emirates.
However, they could have had an easier draw.
After back-to-back visits to two of the toughest grounds in the country, United were offered a break against Southampton at Old Trafford.
The Saints are bottom dwellers in the division, but look a little tighter with the disciplined Ivan Jurić at the helm. The reign of the new coach started with two weak defeats, but there are reasons for optimism.
A potential banana peel for United in this form.
Joao Pedro struck late on to give Brighton a memorable 2-1 win in the reverse fixture at the start of the season. That triumph came amid a superb opening for the Seagulls, but Fabian Hurzeler’s side have struggled for wins of late.
Their last win came on November 23 – even United have won games (four, to be precise) since then – but they performed well without much reward. Brighton’s performances in the 2024 draw suggest a squad capable of making a run in the new year. And they should be healthier by the time this gear comes out.
Man Utd’s third consecutive home match arrives in the Europa League against a British opponent. Amorim oversaw wins over Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen at the start of his tenure to leave United in the top eight of the league table.
However, they will be usurped if they are beaten by Rangers at Old Trafford. It will be only the fifth competitive meeting between these two clubs.
The Scots are just one place and a point behind United in the table after drawing with Tottenham at Ibrox in their previous away game. This is the penultimate round of the first stage and United will be looking to avoid two extra games in their bid to reach the last 16.
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