Optimism at Manchester United is fleeting. After 180 minutes in the new Premier League season, the team seems exhausted, evidenced by a worrying 1-1 draw against Fulham. The situation evokes more the problems of last season than the redemption sought by the coach, Ruben Amorim.A goalkeeper prone to errors, a captain who overdoes it, midfielders incapable of creating, and a forward line that fails to capitalize on opportunities. Familiar? This was the story of United’s 2024-25 season, which ended with their worst position in the Premier League (15th) and their worst overall performance since 1974. A change was expected this year.Despite a missed penalty by Bruno Fernandes, United squandered a lead obtained thanks to Leny Yoro’s header and was saved from defeat against a Fulham that tied with a goal from Emile Smith Rowe.The £200 million investment in forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko has given United more attacking potential, but no forward can score if they don’t receive the ball.Cunha had two clear opportunities in the first half at Craven Cottage, but one hit the post and the other was well saved by goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Afterwards, the situation did not improve.Mbeumo chased after lost balls and Sesko offered a focal point when entering in the second half, but they were signed to score goals and transform draws into victories for United, not just to bring energy to the attack.A similar situation was experienced against Arsenal at Old Trafford, where United suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first match of the season. Mbeumo and Cunha looked dangerous, but neither scored. At Craven Cottage, they left the field again without scoring.The problem lies in what happens behind them, starting with the goal and culminating in a midfield that is still far from the level needed to compete in the Champions League.Let’s start with the goalkeeper. Against Arsenal, Altay Bayindir’s error on a corner led to Riccardo Calafiori’s goal. Despite his mistake and weakness in set pieces, Amorim surprisingly kept the Turkish international in goal ahead of the recovered André Onana.Onana is not perfect, but he is better than Bayindir. Amorim’s decision to keep him out of the team, after United’s failed attempts to sign Emi Martínez from Aston Villa and Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain, suggests that the coach does not trust either of his goalkeepers.The same thing happened with Bayindir at Fulham. Every time a corner was taken, Bayindir showed insecurity, allowing Sander Berge, Timothy Castagne or Ricardo Muniz to unsettle him. An elite goalkeeper would have solved this problem, but Bayindir fell to the ground on several occasions.
Michallik: Manchester United played like last season against Fulham
The defenders playing in front of Bayindir look nervous, the same goes for Onana.United are in talks with Senne Lammens of Royal Antwerp, but according to sources, he will not be signed as a starter, so Amorim could end up with another goalkeeper who is not good enough to play every week.A unreliable goalkeeper weakens the team, just like a midfield that doesn’t run or create.Fernandes can do both, but the defensive aspect of his game hurts him. The problem is that he has to do the work of two players because his teammates, Casemiro and substitute Manuel Ugarte, don’t run or don’t pass. Ugarte, often, does neither.Mason Mount is a talented player, but he is neither a midfielder nor a forward, however, Amorim uses him in offensive positions at the beginning of matches because he needs someone capable of relieving Bruno’s burden.Mount is not the player United needs: they need a midfielder who covers the defensive zone and allows Bruno to create for the forwards, who are still not receiving the ball. Amorim said after the match against Fulham that his team is “more robust” with the former Chelsea player in their starting eleven.Robust, perhaps, but still lacking creativity, which brings up the problem of Bruno being involved in too many tasks. Amorim has yet to find a way for his best player to perform at his best for the team.Meanwhile, with the rest of the team struggling, three expensive forwards are still waiting for the opportunities to score the goals that will take United back to where they want to be.If they don’t score this week, against League Two’s Grimsby in the Carabao Cup and then against Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, the alarms will sound again.
