Manchester United’s turbulent start to the 2025/26 football season has thrown the club into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, yet a dramatic win over Burnley and an outpouring of support for manager Ruben Amorim have offered a glimmer of hope heading into a crucial stretch. In a week that saw United crash out of the Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion to League Two’s Grimsby Town, followed by a nervy 3-2 Premier League victory at Old Trafford, the Red Devils are a team under siege—but not, it seems, divided.
Defender Matthijs de Ligt, sporting a black eye from the bruising encounter at Blundell Park, was unequivocal about where the squad’s loyalties lie. “Yeah, of course [we want him to stay],” De Ligt said, referring to Amorim’s position as manager. “As players, we are responsible for the results. People always talk about the manager, but after Grimsby, we looked each other in the eye and said the performance wasn’t acceptable. It would be wrong to blame him. We still stand behind him, and he stands behind us.” According to De Ligt, the players have taken the brunt of the blame, refusing to let their manager become the scapegoat for a string of disappointing performances.
The Carabao Cup defeat on August 27, a 2-2 draw that ended with a gut-wrenching 12-11 penalty shootout loss to Grimsby Town, sent shockwaves through the United fanbase. The result was described as “one of United’s most embarrassing results” and immediately put Amorim under intense scrutiny. The sense of crisis was palpable, with fans and pundits alike questioning the tactical decisions and squad selections that had led to such a low point.
On The United Stand Xtra Podcast, Mark Goldbridge did not mince words, especially when it came to United’s number one, Andre Onana. “A one for our number one,” Goldbridge said, blaming Onana for the defeat and lambasting Amorim for picking him in the first place. “Manager three, yeah, just for picking Onana,” he added, reflecting the mounting frustration among supporters. The penalties were labeled “an embarrassment,” and Goldbridge’s scathing player ratings painted a picture of a squad lacking cohesion and confidence.
Despite the torrent of criticism, there were some bright spots. Harry Maguire, often a lightning rod for criticism himself, was named man of the match for his performance against Grimsby, a testament to just how far expectations have shifted at Old Trafford. Young Fredricson, though he struggled, was spared heavy blame, with Goldbridge noting, “he’s a young player and he really struggled… I’m not here to burn him or anything like that.” Substitute appearances from Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Joshua Zirkzee offered fleeting glimpses of quality, but the overall sentiment was clear: United’s consistency is sorely lacking, and the pressure on Amorim is only increasing.
Amorim himself has not shied away from the gravity of the situation. Following the Grimsby defeat, he admitted to sometimes thinking about quitting and expressed frustration with his players. “I think the only thing that counted today was a win,” De Ligt said after the subsequent Burnley match. “Everybody saw how. We know we could have done that better, but the win was the most important thing.” The squad’s ability to bounce back, at least temporarily, was put to the test just days later as they faced newly promoted Burnley at Old Trafford.
The Premier League clash on August 30 was anything but straightforward. United twice surrendered the lead, with defensive lapses and more goalkeeping errors fueling the anxiety that has gripped the club. Josh Cullen’s own goal gave United an early advantage, but Lyle Foster quickly drew Burnley level. Bryan Mbeumo restored the lead, only for Jaidon Anthony to equalize yet again. With the clock ticking down and United on the verge of another disappointing result, captain Bruno Fernandes stepped up. His stoppage-time penalty—awarded after Anthony’s late pull on Amad Diallo—lifted the home crowd and, for a moment, eased the mounting tension around Amorim’s future.
“I think everybody from outside could also understand what the feeling is if you lose a game like that,” De Ligt said of the Grimsby defeat. “So, yeah, it’s not easy. We know that. We were really disappointed, in ourselves especially, so then to win today was I think the only cure that could a little bit help the defeat of Wednesday.” The relief was palpable, but few at Old Trafford were under any illusions about the challenges ahead.
Burnley’s Lyle Foster, for his part, felt his side deserved more from the contest. “I’m disappointed for the game to end the way it ended,” Foster said. “I feel like we deserved something from the game, for it to end in that way I think it was a bit unjust. It is what it is, unfortunate. We played really well, and I think we can be proud of that.”
The win marked United’s first Premier League victory in three matches, a much-needed boost as the club heads into the international break. But the schedule offers little respite: a trip to rivals Manchester City looms on September 14, followed by a daunting home fixture against an in-form Chelsea side on September 20. These matches are likely to define not only United’s early-season trajectory but also Amorim’s tenure as manager.
Meanwhile, the fallout from the Burnley match extended beyond the result. Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha was withdrawn from Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers after suffering a hamstring injury during the game. In an official statement, the Brazil football federation confirmed, “After discussions between the medical departments of Manchester United and the Brazilian national team, striker Matheus Cunha was withdrawn due to a muscle injury suffered in the Premier League match against Burnley.” Flamengo’s Samuel Lino was called up in his place, adding another layer of complexity to United’s injury concerns.
For United fans, the emotional rollercoaster of the past week has been a stark reminder of both the club’s high standards and the volatility that comes with them. From the embarrassment at Grimsby to the last-gasp heroics against Burnley, the Red Devils have lurched from crisis to cautious optimism. The dressing room’s vocal support for Amorim may provide some stability, but with defensive frailties, goalkeeper controversies, and a daunting fixture list ahead, the pressure is far from over.
As the international break offers a brief pause, all eyes will be on how Manchester United regroup. The coming weeks promise to be decisive—not just for Ruben Amorim, but for the entire direction of the club’s season.
