Is Manchester United's four-game winning streak in the Premier League within easy reach? Amolin responds to this season’s title hopes, saying he has never felt embarrassed.

After nearly 11 months of negative reviews, Ruben Amolin has at last guided Manchester United to notable achievements. With the 4-2 win against Brighton, the Red Devils moved into the Premier League’s top four, and their goal difference shifted from negative to positive. The team appears to have overcome earlier setbacks and could even challenge for the Premier League crown this season. At present, Manchester United is three points behind Arsenal, who top the table but have played one fewer match. However, the 40-year-old Portuguese coach remains composed and unshaken.

“Don’t rush,” Amolin replied when asked about this topic. “Compared to last season, I’ve said before that the team is performing much better this season. But you also reported all the situations, and that was only three weeks ago. So, in the next three weeks, things could change again.”

After beating Brighton, Manchester United’s next match is an away game at Nottingham Forest on November 1st. Last season, the Red Devils were defeated twice by Forest, but times have changed. The latter was a Premier League dark horse last year, but due to unnecessary interference from the owner, they have now become one of the league’s bottom teams. Before their 2-0 Europa League win over Porto midweek, Forest had gone 10 games without a win, including seven in the Premier League.

In stark contrast to Manchester United, Nottingham Forest are currently on a three-game losing streak in the Premier League. On Sunday, they face Bournemouth and risk extending that losing run to four matches. Next week at the City Ground, Manchester United might hand them a fifth consecutive defeat. If that happens, Amolin will have achieved a four-game winning streak, which is considered quite achievable.

For Manchester United, the real test may come in the subsequent matches. In November, the team will visit Tottenham, host Everton, and travel to Crystal Palace. Interestingly, over the next 50 days, Manchester United will have only one home game. Amolin reiterated: “Whether it’s good or bad is for you to say; it’s just been three weeks.”

In fact, Amolin, who is about to mark his first year in charge of Manchester United, also led the team to a three-game winning streak last season, but that included Europa League matches. A Premier League three-win streak is indeed the first since February 2024. Ironically, after Ten Hag’s team achieved a four-game winning streak then, problems began to surface.

Notably, Amolin insists that Manchester United’s best performance this season was the opening round 0-1 loss to Arsenal, a match in which they played better than in the games against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton.

He explained: “I believe our best performance this season was against Arsenal. However, compared to the Liverpool match, we played better against Brighton this time. You can judge Liverpool however you want, but they really shouldn’t have lost that game. We deserved to win, but they definitely shouldn’t have lost. And today against Brighton, we did almost everything right — controlled possession and created many chances. So, compared to the derby, I appreciate today’s performance more.”

However, Amolin admitted that Manchester United’s improvements have helped boost fans’ confidence in the future, but he himself has never felt embarrassed. “I have never felt embarrassed, that kind of shame from poor results or failing to win matches,” he said. “I have always felt that Sir Alex trusts me and understands what we are doing. This might relate more to the fans; facing them now is something unusual. I realize we must seize the opportunity because football can change dramatically within a week.”

The Manchester United manager believes new signings Cunha and Mbemo better fit his tactical philosophy. “Matheus (Cunha) feels more confident the tougher the match,” Amolin said. “He wants to take responsibility. Today, his defense was excellent, and in attack, as long as the ball is at his feet, I am completely at ease. He has struggled to score, and although he hides his emotions, I fully understand how he feels. Bryan (Mbemo) is like a well-oiled machine, outstanding in transition, and has great chemistry with Amad (Diallo). When we realize players want to join Manchester United no matter what, whether or not we can still play in the Champions League, we will do everything to bring them in.”

Amolin also praised Casemiro’s spirit. Initially underestimated by Amolin, Casemiro has now become indispensable and returned to the Brazil national team. “Other players should look up to Casemiro. At first, he was ranked last among all midfielders, even behind Toby Collyer. But through relentless effort, he got back into the national team and became crucial for us. This shows how quickly things can change in football. Today, he ran a lot, constantly sprinting forward then tracking back to defend. He really did it. As long as you keep working hard, you will succeed. In my view, if I think you are fit for the game and you do things right, you will play well.”

Opponents also acknowledged Manchester United’s progress. Welbeck, who scored against his former club again, said after the match: “This is the strongest Manchester United we’ve faced in a while. Their organization and discipline are very tight, and they always have outstanding players. Today, they capitalized on our mistakes to secure the win.” Head coach Fabian Herzele added: “Manchester United’s intensity is higher, their structure more compact, defense steadier, and overall strength improved. Their spending has been worthwhile.”

Manchester United nearly threw away the win in the final moments as Brighton scored twice to equalize. On this, Amolin joked: “If there aren’t some twists and turns, it wouldn’t be Manchester United. Winning again is really important, and our performance was satisfying. At different stages of the game, we must adopt different tactical approaches. I think the players clearly know what to do at every critical moment. Although we face difficulties at the end, without those, it wouldn’t be true Manchester United!”

Amolin also explained Manchester United’s recent good fortune: “When you become more confident and mentally stronger, sometimes at crucial moments in matches, you encounter some luck, which helps win games. That’s how I feel now. During matches, we have more freedom to express ourselves.”