Well, we're not out but 15th may as well be for a club like United.
Yes, that is now our position in the table after suffering a third defeat against Spurs this season. Ange has now played five, won four, drawn one and lost zero against us in his time as Spurs boss.
United appeared defeated already after all the injuries this week with Amorim even saying that Mainoo could be out for the season as well.
If that's true, it would mean Martinez, Amad and Mainoo will only play for us again in 25/26.
Three of our better players OUT until next season 🙃.
That wasn't even the worst part as with no Ugarte, Collyer, Eriksen, Yoro, Shaw, Mount, Bayindir and Heaton, it meant that Lindelof was the only senior player who has actually played for the United first team was on the bench.
The rest were academy players. Even the goalkeeper. Amorim may as well have put the 63-year-old goalkeeping coach on there as well.
Those injuries would've affected us when on the field but I didn't actually mind the side that the manager selected. It was the best he could've done given the truly awful hand he was dealt.
And to be fair to him, that team did show enough to have gotten something out of that game.
Despite Spurs' early dominance, it was the away side who created the better opening chances as after a save from a Hojlund shot, Garnacho produced another good stop from Vicario whose parry went to Dalot who should've done better with his attempt.
Early positive signs for United.
But, and there's always a but with this team, we do something stupid down the other end and concede a goal.
Poor marking from Dalot on the back post allowed Son a free cross which caused problems because you know we can't defend crosses, which resulted in a shot that asked Onana to make a decent save only for his parry to go to Maddison who was unmarked and quicker to react to the second ball than any of our defenders.
An easy tap-in for the Spurs man upon his return.
While it was disappointing to concede in a such a poor manner, the Red Devils were always in the game.
This proved true as a wonderful chance for Garnacho came about thanks to a good pass from Bruno, only for the forward to make an absolute cock up of his attempt when it appeared harder to miss than to score.
That was the best chance we had in that first half and showed signs of promise.
The second half was much like the first. Spurs had more of the ball, both sides attacked and had their opportunities but no one could find the back of the net.
United actually had more of the better goal scoring chances as other than the goal, Spurs didn't create a proper clear-cut opportunity.
Zirkzee at the other end should've done better with a header thanks to a beautiful ball in by Mazraoui.
Between that and Garnacho's chance, United should've been winning.
But among these good goal scoring opportunities, there were still several mistakes.
The poor defending on some Spurs attacks (including the goal), not tracking back well or quick enough, a midfield that was nigh on non-existent, not being able to pass or control the ball, losing focus, poor decision-making.
The tempo and movement a lot of the time was also pedestrian, almost as if we had a difficult away trip in Europe on Thursday night before having to play Spurs in London. The players appeared so flat and energy-less.
Nothing new with United I suppose but I guess we always think we can improve especially because there was enough time to train, which is something the manager has been talking about desperately needing since he arrived in Manchester.
With an academy bench, Amorim didn't look to make changes except for the 3 minutes of injury time where he brought on Chido Obi for his Man United debut at just 17-years-old. That is perhaps the only positive we can take away from today even if he didn't actually touch the ball.
Spurs managed to hold on to the 1-0 win despite United having some moments where they should've punished the home side.
That was now our 12th defeat in the league. We lost 14 in the whole of last season and we all thought that we were awful in 23/24.
Imagine that. Despite being as pathetic as we were last year we've somehow managed to outdo that. We're only in FEBRUARY!
As the manager was struggling with players for selection, he did as much as he could've and it was then up to those players.
I'm not sure whether he set them up in this more defensive style as there were good periods where Spurs had upwards of 75% possession. That isn't something we've seen from any United side under Amorim unless against teams like Liverpool and Arsenal.
Perhaps he did this because of those on the field. Maybe he knew he could only play in this manner because of who was available to him?
Even still, other than Dorgu, the rest were senior, experienced players with most playing regular first team football. So why did they look like they were the B-team? Too many on that field displayed a lack of care and desire to make anything happen.
There were only spells where United looked decent but spells aren't good enough. Moments FC is what we were called under Ole. We are still moments FC, just without the moments.
Amorim himself looked defeated when doing his presser on Friday which probably had to do with all the injuries and to whom. He looked like he was praying for a miracle at one point during this game.
And who could blame him?
The manager wouldn't be entirely discouraged by what he saw from his players but that disappointment that has been there since day one was clear to see again when looking at the mistakes that were made.
As a coach, you cannot be blamed for players' not being able to do the basics. There's simply nothing that he could do. This is where the club have to back him and get rid of those who can't do these basics let alone try to understand a new (ish) system.
Shocking day.
Just another game at United I guess 🤷♂️.
Ratings
Onana - 5
Mazraoui - 5.5
Maguire - 6
De Ligt - 6
Dalot - 4
Bruno - 3
Casemiro - 4
Dorgu - 6 MOTM
Zirkzee - 6
Garnacho - 5.5
Hojlund - 5
Chido Obi - 6
Ruben Amorim - 6
Final Thoughts
I'm not sure what to make of that game. It shows exactly where we are as a club.
While the league may be done and dusted, we shouldn't be completely binning it off. 15th in the table is horrendous and we're on for our lowest-ever finish and points tally in Premier League history.
The FA Cup and Europa are all important but we look to be giving two shits about the PL.
15th in the table. Good God 🤦♂️🤣.
I really don't know where we go from here. I could see us losing to Everton next week as well.
Are we in a relegation battle?
Background Image: Spurs 1-0 Man Utd | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)