Manchester United should lose 3/10 to Bournemouth

The date is December 2023. Erik ten Hag Manchester United The team has just suffered a tough 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Now, the date is December 2024. Robin AmorimManchester United have just suffered a horrific 3-0 loss to the Cherries at home again. Déjà vu? completely.

When Amorim was first announced as United's new coach, it spread hope across the fanbase that had rarely been seen over the past decade or so. Then, when Marcus Rashford put the Red Devils 1-0 ahead within a minute of the Portuguese's first game on the pitch, it looked like a genius decision to employ him.

Unfortunately, since then, things have not gone well for Rashford or Amorim. The winger was left out of the squad for the final three match days while United were left out He has won just twice in the Premier League since then.

There was, of course, that famous win at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday, but another poor week followed that win and has not given the new manager much breathing room ahead of this busy festive season.

So, who's to blame this weekend? A fair, red individual, truth be told. One of them was Tyrell Malasia.

Tyrell Malasia's performance against Bournemouth

It has been a terrible afternoon for United as they charge The ninth goal from a free kick in the league this season Before receiving a penalty kick, he then missed the ball very easily to score the third goal for Andoni Iraola's team in the match.

While Melcia was manic in the first half and unable to prevent the second and third goals from happening, he was the man who missed the free-kick that gave Den Huysen the lead early in the first half.

That set the tone for what was a poor afternoon for the wing-back, who was substituted at half-time for the third time during Amorim's reign, and left the field having won just one of his five duels.

Such a shaky performance did not please audiences or critics alike Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst Pointing out that he deserved 3/10 for his show at the Dream Theater on Sunday.

This was about as far from a dream performance as you can get, as Malacia's nightmarish stint in the North West looks set to continue, despite a change in manager.

Dutch colleague Joshua ZirkzeeAnd it wasn't particularly great either.

Joshua Zirkzee's performance by the numbers

Zirkzee has been flattered to cheat since he signed in the summer, so let's put that aside.

The big striker got his United career off to a flying start when he scored a late winner against Fulham during the opener Premier League Match of the season. Since then, he has risen He added only two league goals to his tallyHe scored two goals, most notably in a 4-0 win over Everton at the beginning of the month.

However, this is as good as it can be for someone who looks slowly forward and whose touch is very poor. He lacked the grace, composure and quality needed to flourish as a leading man at United, and it certainly won't be long before Rasmus Hoglund is given an extended spell in the starting XI.

It also received a rating of 3/10 from the aforementioned Luckhurst, and referred to Zirkzee's poorest moments as His “absolutely desperate” attempt to tag Huijsen For the opening goal of the afternoon.

Amorim has not been shy about hiding his emotions since becoming coach, and was visibly upset by some of the actions his striker was doing on Sunday. Indeed, that was most evident when, after losing an aerial duel, he pulled his summer signing from proceedings as United prepared to defend a corner.

In fact, Zirkzee struggled to get into the game and made only six passes While he touched the ball only 19 timesmuch lower than Malacia's numbers as previously shown. Also, losing the ball ten times means that he gives up the ball every 1.9 times he touches it. Depressing stuff.

As he failed to put a single shot on target, it is clear that if Amorim wants to improve this aspect, he needs a better striker. How Sporting's Victor Gjukeres must be lusted after.