Manchester United’s nightmare season worsened on Tuesday as Ruben Amorim’s side suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, losing 2-0 to Newcastle.
Early headed goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton left the Red Devils reeling, unable to muster a response.
Post-match, Amorim faced tough questions about the possibility of a relegation battle. Visibly frustrated, the Portuguese coach admitted, “It’s a little bit embarrassing. We must face this moment with honesty and fight to keep our Premier League status.”
He acknowledged the team’s lack of improvement, adding, “It’s a hard moment. Being the Manchester United coach and losing this much is not acceptable. But we must cope with challenges in life.”
The new year promises no respite for United, with an uphill battle against league leaders Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday, followed by an FA Cup clash against Arsenal. Recent results paint a bleak picture:
Tottenham 4-3 Man Utd (Carabao Cup)
Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth (Premier League)
Wolves 2-0 Man Utd (Premier League)
Man Utd 0-2 Newcastle (Premier League)
The odds of relegation, once unthinkable, are now being entertained by bookmakers. Paddy Power and Betfair list United at 40/1 to go down, while Ladbrokes and William Hill offer shorter odds at 28/1.
United’s upcoming league fixtures won’t ease the pressure:
Liverpool (A)
Southampton (H)
Brighton (H)
Fulham (A)
Crystal Palace (H)
Gary Neville has urged Amorim to recall key players like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, who have been sidelined due to concerns over attitude in training. Speaking on his podcast, Neville said, “United are desperate right now.
Garnacho and Rashford have the energy to trouble players like Robertson and Trent, unlike what we’ve seen on the pitch recently.”
Neville also acknowledged Amorim’s struggle to establish a new culture at the club but emphasized the urgency of the situation: “This is not about long-term planning anymore. United are seven points above relegation—it’s a desperate moment.”
With United’s form in freefall, the question lingers: could this historic club truly face relegation?