Analysis: Amorim’s progress masked by Man Utd's struggles

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 5.

Team analysis: Manchester United

Has Man Utd’s worst start to a Premier League season in 33 years concealed a few improvements to Ruben Amorim’s side?

They face a key match already in their season at home to Chelsea on Saturday - a side who have not won at Old Trafford since 2013.

Is Amorim right to point us towards the data?

In a creative sense we have seen a big upturn from Man Utd in the early weeks of 2025/26.

Lifted by the positive influence of Bryan Mbeumo in particular, and from Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount before they picked up injuries, the Red Devils have been better going forward.

Despite winning just once, Amorim’s side are ranked in top spot for many of the key attacking metrics including Expected Goals (xG) and shots attempted.

Across the board in this area they are performing significantly better than they did last season - a positive not lost on head coach Amorim.

"I see that we are doing better, but then the results don't show that," he said after United's derby defeat at Manchester City last time out.

"Again, I remember last year we play, in the former club [Sporting], we play against City. We won 4-1 [in the UEFA Champions League]. It was not near the opportunities, the way we control the game compared to today."

How Man Utd's attack ranks last two seasons

Mbeumo has added plenty to United’s forward line.

The former Brentford player has made a string of telling runs in behind, and his 10 shots from inside the box are also a team high.

Bruno Fernandes is the only team-mate with a higher Expected Goals (1.93 to 1.76) and the United captain is also the Premier League’s leader when it comes to chances created (14) so far.

Yet both men have just one goal, and no assists, to show for their efforts.

So, why aren’t United scoring?

Wayward finishing and inspired goalkeeping against them have proved very costly across the opening four matches.

David Raya and Gianluigi Donnarumma (below) both pulled off world-class saves to deny Man Utd in clean sheet wins.

But United’s players must also look at themselves for missing too many golden opportunities to score.

While they have only carved out eight big chances (seven teams have more) their general conversion rate has been poor.

Far too many shots have failed to test the opposition keeper.

PL teams with lowest conversion rate 25/26

What are the defensive numbers like?

Yet to keep a clean sheet and torn apart at times by Manchester City last Sunday, Man Utd’s off the ball work needs dramatic improvement.

Only five Premier League teams have allowed more touches from the opposition inside their own penalty area, and they also rank third worst for Expected Goals Against (xGA).

Considering Amorim has not deviated from 3-4-2-1 once, there is no excuse for the players not being well versed in how to shine in his preferred system by now.

There is clarity over each individual role within that formation, but United constantly leave themselves exposed.

Man Utd's Expected Goals Against per 90 has increased from 1.45 last season to 1.73 this time around, and they have looked especially uncertain when defending set-pieces.

How Man Utd rank defensively 25/26

In open play, despite having more of the ball in 2025/26, with average possession rising from 53.52 per cent to 56.17 per cent. Amorim’s side are letting rival sides to get into their box far too often.

The midfield issue

Man Utd’s main issue is the lack of protection the central midfield provides in front of their defence.

Amorim is persisting with a two-man double pivot, but opposition head coaches are regularly targeting that area with overloads.

Last weekend, Man City deliberately brought Jeremy Doku or Bernardo Silva infield from the flanks to outnumber United’s pairing, for example.

This average position map from the Manchester derby shows how Rodri (16), Tijjani Reijnders (4) and Phil Foden (47) outnumbered Manuel Ugarte (25) and Fernandes (8) in that part of the field.

Striker Benjamin Sesko is the No 30 on this image.

Average position map Man City v Man Utd

Staying with your man

Tracking runners has also been an ongoing problem that has plagued United long term.

Using Fernandes in central midfield gives them top class quality in possession, but when they do not have the ball, the Red Devils have struggled.

Fernandes stood and watched as both Emile Smith Rowe and Foden ran off him to score in recent matches.

Here you see Fernandes in a good position goal side of Smith Rowe with the ball out wide.

But as Alex Iwobi curls the ball into the area, Fernandes switches off completely, allowing Smith Rowe a free run to score for Fulham from close range.

Against Man City it was a similar story.

As Doku begins his dribble into the box, he is the man closest to Foden.

Yet when the ball is cut back towards Foden, Fernandes is once again rooted to the spot having failed to track the England international's run.

Fernandes’ natural instincts are all attack-minded, so playing in this deeper role is a steep learning curve for him.

To get to the next level in that role, he must add more concentration to his game when United do not have the ball.

His team-mates around him also have an obligation to communicate better with their captain, and to perhaps anticipate those lapses in focus a little earlier too.

Chelsea may target Fernandes

It is highly conceivable that Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will view this as a good avenue for success at Old Trafford on Saturday.

We know all about Cole Palmer’s threat from central areas, but Enzo Fernandez is another player that Man Utd’s midfield must track.

The Argentinian is fantastic at identifying the right times to make bursts into the area, with his goal at West Ham United a prime example.

A cause for mild alarm in the United ranks could be this table below, that shows how keen Fernandez is to break into the opposition penalty area.

No one makes more runs into the box, and they often lead to a shot on goal for Chelsea.

Most runs ending in the box 25/26

Most runs ending in a team shot 25/26

Not for turning

Amorim reiterated his commitment to sticking with 3-4-2-1 after Sunday’s loss at the Etihad Stadium.

He said, "I'm not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.”

His intentions are clear, so if Amorim is not willing to alter the shape, he may consider one or two personnel changes for this test against Chelsea, that suit the roles he asks them to perform.

A first home loss to the Blues in 12 years would heap added pressure on him, so this is a hugely important match.