United’s Rocky Season: A Call for Improvement Amidst Draws

Manchester United made an impressive recovery in October following a difficult start to their 2025-26 season, as Ruben Amorim’s squad achieved three consecutive victories in the Premier League against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton. It appeared that the high-profile attacking lineup assembled during the summer transfer window was finally beginning to perform, allowing the team to ascend the league table.

However, the Red Devils encountered another decline in form at the beginning of November, recording back-to-back 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur.

Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt has openly expressed his frustration with United’s performances this season. Following the draw against Spurs, Bolt reached out to United legend Rio Ferdinand with a voice note, urging the former England defender to address a significant issue within the team.

In the voice note, which was shared on Ferdinand’s podcast, Bolt stated: “I just watched the United game, and one of our biggest problems is how we invite pressure onto ourselves. The players are constantly back-pedaling and inviting pressure. Please, Rio, I’m begging you, speak to the team. You are one of the greatest defenders in Manchester United’s history; it’s stressing me out. While I know you aren’t directly involved, encourage them to pass the ball more quickly. They seem to struggle in one-on-one situations; only Shaw appears to understand what’s needed. They rely too much on system and lineup without knowing how to engage defensively. I push up as a defender while the midfield slots in. Please, Rio, reach out to someone.”

In contrast, Ferdinand offered a less critical analysis of Amorim’s team. He remarked, “There were moments against Spurs when United’s defense did not operate as a cohesive unit. We are still in a rebuilding phase, which is why we must manage fan expectations. Some fans have expressed outrage, claiming the manager’s substitutions ruined the game. However, had he made no substitutions and the result remained the same, those same fans would be questioning his decisions. It’s a challenging position to be in. Look at Arne Slot, who won the league last year but got it wrong at [Manchester] City this year. Such things happen.”

Amorim himself acknowledges that there remains substantial work to enhance the team’s performance. After the Tottenham match, he told TNT Sports, “During the game, we felt the three points were within our grasp. However, due to various circumstances, including Harry Maguire and Casemiro coming off and conceding two goals, we ended up with just a point. When you cannot secure a win, at least you don’t lose; that’s our situation again. There is so much growth needed within the team, as we had the opportunity to win that match.

“We must critically assess our performance; we weren’t pressing with the intensity required. We felt too comfortable and need to recognize that had we been bolder, we could have sealed the game. Sometimes this occurs; you may have a stronger first half than second. We believe in our capability to score until the final whistle. It is a mix of frustration and pride in the players’ response following Tottenham’s second goal. This is merely the beginning; we are on the path to becoming a formidable team, and there is much work ahead.”