Man United improved under Amorim but underlying stats show concerns
MANCHESTER, England – A year after Manchester United dismissed Erik ten Hag and appointed Ruben Amorim, the club’s performance indicators show only marginal improvement despite structural changes in approach and personnel. United have averaged 1.0 points per game since Amorim’s arrival, compared to 1.2 under his predecessor, and sit in mid-table after 12 league matches this season.
United were in 14th when Amorim replaced Ten Hag, following a poor run that saw the club take 11 points from their opening nine fixtures. The Portuguese manager closed last season in 15th and retained his position despite a points-per-game decline and a worsening goal differential. This season opened with cautious optimism during a five-match unbeaten run but has since been followed by a 1-0 defeat to Everton, who played more than 75 minutes with 10 men.
Amorim has maintained his preferred three-centre-back system, deploying either a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 in every match. While his formation has stayed consistent, the team’s approach has shifted. United have adopted a higher-tempo buildup and a more direct progression from the back, with two-thirds of their goal kicks now played long, compared to 45% last season. That change has delivered an uptick in attacking output. Adjusted goals scored have risen to 1.67 per game, up from 1.29, and the club’s adjusted goal differential has moved from –0.16 to +0.20.
However, several favorable match scenarios have contributed to the statistical improvement. United have spent substantial minutes against 10 men and have already won three penalties while conceding none. Removing penalty impact reduces their adjusted differential to +0.04, a figure comparable to the early-season performance that led to Ten Hag’s dismissal.
The squad has undergone significant turnover in attack, with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko leading the frontline. Their arrivals have delivered more fluency in the final third, though defensive vulnerabilities have slightly increased. The average age of United’s first-team regulars has also risen from 25.5 to 26.5, reflecting a short-term squad profile rather than a rebuild around younger players.
The question confronting United’s hierarchy is whether Amorim’s tactical reshaping is sustainable. The team has demonstrated greater attacking initiative and a clearer identity but remains short of challenging the league’s top sides. A more favorable fixture schedule in the coming months may offer further clarity on the trajectory.
Amorim has lifted the club away from the volatility that defined the final months of the previous regime, yet United still appear some distance from returning to title contention. One year into the tenure, the club has moved from underperforming to average, and the long-term direction of the project remains unresolved.