MANCHESTER: Manchester United, managed by Ruben Amorim, lost for the ninth time in the English Premier League this season last Monday.
The 2-0 defeat to Newcastle was the fifth in eight league games under the Portuguese coach.
United are now just seven points above the relegation zone. Their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League or other European competitions next season have now turned into a mission to avoid relegation to the Championship League.
The 39-year-old has now made his worst start at Old Trafford in 103 years.
United’s players were seen to have failed to adapt to the 3-4-3 formation implemented by the former Sporting manager.
United also collected their lowest points in a year since 1989 (51 points), and lost three consecutive home games for the first time since 1979.
Six defeats in December were United’s highest total in a month since September 1930 – and conceded 18 goals to equal the worst record set in March 1964.
“It’s also my fault. I don’t think this team has improved. The team has lost its direction at the moment.
“It’s a shame to be Manchester United manager and lose so many games. But we have to deal with this situation,” Amorim said after the defeat at Newcastle.
Not only that, United also recorded the worst statistics in the league this season in terms of goals, attempts completed, attempts on target, clean sheets, goals conceded and errors leading to goals conceded by the opposition.
If these statistics under Amorim had started at the start of the season, United would be 17th on seven points after eight games, only ahead of newly promoted Ipswich by goal difference.