Jose Mourinho and Erik ten Hag once said Manchester United had special problems, and now it's true

Manchester United face Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on Wednesday, seeking a victory to improve their 15th-place Premier League position after a 2-2 draw against Everton. Ipswich, battling relegation, will be eager for a win. Ruben Amorim's first match in charge was a 1-1 draw against Ipswich in November. Paul Merson believes recent United struggles, including their second-place finish in a previous season under Jose Mourinho, now appear more understandable.

Erik ten Hag's recent management decisions are also addressed. After a difficult period, ten Hag sought advice and support from influential figures in an attempt to secure his position at Old Trafford. United's January transfer window was characterized by the departures of Marcus Rashford and Antony on loan, without acquiring adequate replacements, adding further to the club's concerns. Both Rashford and Antony have performed well at their new clubs.

Marcus Rashford and Antony left Manchester United to join another club in January

Furthermore, United suffered a significant injury blow with star forward Amad's season-ending injury. This has led to the inclusion of young academy prospect Chido Obi. Despite some concerns, Amorim defended the form of striker Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored only two goals this season.

Amorim expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance: "stating that they weren't providing enough support to forward Rasmus. He noted a lack of offensive threats, citing that the team wasn't creating scoring opportunities and didn't appear dangerous in the final third."

"He further commented that the opposition wasn't intimidated by the team's transitions, suggesting a connection between this and the lack of support for the forwards. While acknowledging Rasmus' potential, Amorim believes his difficulty in consistently scoring is likely due to a combination of factors, including his youth and the overall team performance".

We are fighting for our JOBS! Amorim says Man Utd are taking a RISK by not signing more players in January

Ruben Amorim, after a strong start at Sporting CP, has struggled since joining Manchester United. His team has secured only 15 points from 15 Premier League matches (4 wins, 3 draws, 8 losses), although they remain undefeated in the Europa League, advancing to a 16th round match against Real Sociedad.

Despite a recent draw against Everton, Amorim's side hasn't won in three league games. Criticism, including from former player Paul Merson, has emerged regarding Amorim's tactical approach, specifically his 3-4-3 formation. Amorim acknowledged the need for improvement in creating scoring opportunities and finishing chances.

The match against Everton saw United trail 2-0 at halftime, but recovered to earn a draw, with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte. Amorim highlighted the need for consistency and pointed to some positive aspects of the second half performance. However, he stressed a need for further tactical adjustments and an improved focus on overcoming the current challenges.