MU still has many weaknesses

10/11/2025 23:16:00 FieldFrenzy

Ruben Amorim has made MU more cohesive and formidable compared to last season. They are currently on a 5-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League, securing impressive victories over Liverpool, Brighton, and Chelsea, and nearly defeating Tottenham away from home.

Spurs coach Thomas Frank also acknowledged: "MU has made significant progress. They are tougher to defeat and show greater determination." Yet, behind this improvement are several vulnerabilities that keep MU from climbing into the top tier of the table.

The dilemma named Casemiro

Amorim, with a football philosophy leaning towards directness (fast vertical passes, zonal pressing, and exploiting midfield spaces), is shaping a more compact, organized, and efficient version of MU.

However, this stability places the entire burden on Casemiro’s shoulders. Statistics show that 15 out of MU’s 20 conceded goals this season occurred when the Brazilian midfielder was off the pitch. At 33, the former Real Madrid star remains a strategic "anchor," maintaining balance between attack and defense and serving as the foundation for Amorim’s pressing system. But precisely because of this, whenever Casemiro is absent, MU nearly loses its vertical axis, lacks connection among the three lines, and becomes vulnerable to central penetrations by opponents.

The 2-2 draw against Tottenham is the clearest example. When Casemiro was substituted in the second half due to fatigue, MU’s midfield was immediately dominated by the opposition. Manuel Ugarte has yet to fully adapt to the Premier League environment, while Kobbie Mainoo was injured, leaving Amorim without alternatives. As a result, MU was pinned back for the final 30 minutes, conceding 8 shots and allowing Tottenham to equalize in stoppage time.

After the match, Amorim himself admitted: "When Casemiro and Maguire both came off, we completely lost our balance. This shows how fragile this squad still is."

Casemiro continues to perform at a high level in each duel, but signs of physical decline are inevitable. In the last 3 full matches he played, his successful tackle rate dropped to 52%, much lower than the 71% from last season. Constantly having to "carry the load" between defense and attack organization exhausts the Brazilian midfielder, increasing his risk of injury.

MU becomes extremely fragile without Casemiro (right)

This is not only an individual issue but also a tactical challenge: Amorim needs to find a successor to Casemiro, a midfielder with enough stamina, game-reading ability, and leadership to direct the pressing. Otherwise, MU will always face the risk that once Casemiro is tired or injured, the entire tactical structure collapses.

The fitness and squad depth challenge

Besides relying on Casemiro, MU faces a more fundamental problem: declining fitness and lack of squad depth.

In the match against Tottenham, Mainoo was injured just before kickoff. Throughout the 90 minutes, Maguire and Sesko were subbed off, forcing Amorim to adjust the formation mid-game. Casemiro’s stamina dropped, Bruno Fernandes had to drop deeper to support defense, causing the attacking line to lose its rhythm. Mason Mount, recently recovered, only managed half a half, while the wingers were nearly exhausted in the last 20 minutes.

Worryingly, MU plays only about one match per week on average, without the intense schedule pressure from European competitions, yet the whole team’s fitness still deteriorates rapidly.

Another weak point is the left flank, where Luke Shaw frequently has to tuck inside to assist the center-backs. This leaves space behind him as a "blind spot" that opponents repeatedly exploit. Patrick Dorgu shows good attacking potential but lacks Premier League defensive experience. In the draw with Spurs, both goals conceded came from this side, highlighting poor cover and imbalance in wide defensive organization.

Up front, MU also faces a tough problem. Joshua Zirkzee has not fully adapted to Amorim’s style, while Sesko recently suffered a knee injury. The situation worsens as Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Mazraoui will leave in December to participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, leaving Amorim almost no options on the wings. "If Sesko is out long-term, we will have to rethink. The winter transfer window will be crucial," Amorim confessed.

Fitness weaknesses also cause MU to struggle in away matches. In their last 10 away games across all competitions, they have only won 1, drawn 4, and lost 5. Although De Ligt secured a valuable point with a 96th-minute goal against Tottenham, the team was dominated almost the entire last 30 minutes, signaling that the intensity problem remains unresolved.

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