Is Manchester United Finally Turning a Corner?

Manchester United beat Leicester City 3-0 in the 29th Gameweek of the Premier League at the King Power Stadium in Leicester on Sunday, March 16. The Red Devils seemed unstoppable throughout the game and were clearly the more dominant side on offer. Head coach Ruben Amorim, appointed in November 2024, seems to be getting his ideas more comfortably to his players these days.

The win over Leicester comes days after United beat Real Sociedad 4-1 in the UEFA Europa League to seal their spot in the quarterfinals of the continental competition. United displayed a ruthless brand of football in that game as well, and established themselves to be the superior team. What will please their fans all the more is that they ended the two legs of this encounter with a 5-2 scoreline.

Against Leicester, United were on top of the proceedings right from the beginning. Even though they had just 46 percent of the possession in this game, they were able to exploit the spaces left by the Leicester defenders in the final third and convert them into scoring opportunities. 

Rasmus Højlund opened the scoring for the visitors in the 28th minute, and allowed his team to go into the break with a lead.

In the second half, starlet Alejandro Garnacho gave United a double advantage by scoring in the 67th minute. Skipper Bruno Fernandes then put the game to bed with a strike in the 90th minute, ensuring that his team picked up all the three points on offer. 

Fernandes was also the player of the match for his stunning performance, which included a goal and two assists while playing in central midfield alongside the enforcer Manuel Ugarte.

Ruben Amorim Must Be Given Complete Freedom

After this result, United climbed to the 13th spot in the Premier League table as they now have 37 points inside their bag. 

The Red Devils appear to be turning a corner as they have now been unbeaten in their last seven matches (albeit one loss via penalties). Amorim, who brought in a lot of ideas when he was appointed, needs to be given some time to implement them, and the summer transfer window will be the ideal time.

If Amorim is allowed the budget to purchase and sell players of his own volition, he can be held responsible for everything that happens to United in the upcoming season. In this campaign, United can still compete for the UEFA Europa League title, although it will not be easy for them at all. 

The Premier League seems out of bounds by a large distance, and they have also been knocked out of the FA Cup, but if Amorim motivates his players to give it their all in the Europa League, things can change.

The Portuguese manager, who was brought in from Sporting CP, is known for playing with three defenders, and this tactic did not initially work with United. However, the players seem to buy into Amorim’s philosophy all the more as time progresses, and their growth is there for everyone to see. 

Nonetheless, their poor positioning in the league table will remain a matter of shame for themselves and a matter of amusement for the supporters of their rival clubs.

The Next Transfer Window Is Crucial for United

United will not be comfortable with arch-rivals Liverpool winning the Premier League this season, but they will have to look inward if they are to develop in a more organic manner. They will intend to pick up as many points as they can in the league and finish the season near the tenth spot. 

This win over Leicester, who are certain to get relegated, should be taken with a pinch of salt as well.

Although United showed their prowess with a 1-1 draw with title contenders Arsenal last weekend, they have to improve significantly if they are to compete alongside the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. 

The brilliance shown by AFC Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United this season has shown that United too can turn things around in one season.

For success to become a regular fixture at Old Trafford, the management will have to put their complete trust in Amorim and give him the freedom to express his ideas. Amorim’s philosophies are quite different from other top-flight coaches in European football, and players need some time to get used to them. 

Once they do, however, they are bound to succeed, as can be seen with Sporting, with whom Amorim won two league titles in four seasons.

A lot of players who do not serve any purpose need to make way for others at Manchester United, and this will signal a revival for the club. The new players who come in have to be hungry for success and know the importance of playing for its crest. Only if such players – who are committed to the club’s cause – come in and buy into Amorim’s philosophy, will Manchester United be able to return to their days of glory.