Ruben Amorim’s ‘worst Man Utd’ ever claim still rings true after Wolves draw

A year that began with Ruben Amorim anointing his Manchester United side as “maybe the worst” in the club’s 147-year history ended with a performance that reaffirmed just how much ground this team still has to make up.

United were missing many of their best players, from captain Bruno Fernandes and top scorer Bryan Mbeumo to Mason Mount and Amad Diallo, but that alone did not excuse a display desperately lacking in conviction and coherence and a whole lot more in between.

For Wolves, who possessed the game’s best performer in the youthful figure of Mateus Mane, this was one of their brightest showings in a torrid season.

They are still without a win at the halfway stage but this result ended a run of 11 successive Premier League defeats and will offer manager Rob Edwards some crumbs of comfort heading into the New Year.

As for United, they seem incapable of winning back-to-back games. It has happened just once under Amorim when they won three games in a row in October but for the most part all attempts to build some momentum routinely hit one frustrating wall after another.

There are players here that it is clear United cannot carry with them going forward if they want to progress. Joshua Zirkee scored United’s goal, with the help of a deflection, but was hooked at half-time after looking lost. Manuel Ugarte did not see the game out either and is another signing who seems far from the standard required at the club. It was no surprise to see a chorus of boos greeted the final whistle.

Full report to follow…