Harry Maguire, a defender for Manchester United, has provided one explanation for why head coach Ruben Amorim has found his first month in command "very tough.
Erik ten Hag, who was fired last month after United's dismal start to the 2024–25 season, was replaced by 39-year-old Amorim.
Under Ten Hag, Manchester United lacked a distinctive style of play; however, this has changed once Amorim joined the team. Although there have been some encouraging aspects of his time at Old Trafford, they have lost three in a row in every competition.
After losing 2-0 to Wolves on Boxing Day, the Red Devils are now in 14th place in the Premier League, only eight points above the relegation zone. Because Amorim hasn't "come in with a similar style" to Ten Hag, former captain Maguire believes it has been "really tough" for him.
"I think the new manager and his team are having a really hard time because they don't have the same style as the previous manager," Maguire said.
It's difficult for them because they know they want to work with the squad on the training field to develop things and the defending concepts and the set piece principles, but they are the reverse in terms of what they want and what they demand.
We don't want to use this as an excuse, but it has been a difficult month for games. We're not winning right now, and this club demands it. For us and the fans, it is insufficient.
Maguire has also provided an explanation for his belief that Man Utd is being "targeted" by other Premier League teams in "set-plays." "It's difficult to accept that teams have scored twice from a corner when it keeps happening, but you can't really attribute it to luck," Maguire continued.
It's quite obvious that I believe the Tottenham one to be a foul. This one hasn't returned to me.
In some set-play situations, you have to accept that there is little you can do, but in others, you have to take stock of your performance and make improvements. The Bournemouth one, in my opinion, was difficult—a fantastic header and a fantastic ball.
Going down to 10 men tonight, not really giving them anything, and looking really strong in the second half, only to give up again [like that], especially the first of the game, is disheartening. Set plays are crucial in football games since they determine the outcome of matches.
"The first goal determines the outcome of many close games that are 50/50. It's regrettable that the opening goal has been a set-play against us much too often. How can we fix it? Put up extra effort on the training field. Teams may now be aiming for our set-play territory, in my opinion. The odd thing is that we don't seem to be giving them many opportunities.
Tonight, we've handled a couple of their set-plays quite effectively, and they went on to score from one. "I believe that if you work hard and maintain your faith, things will improve. We have guys with strong box defense skills. We must remain united because they will change.
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