It started with promise. Just under two minutes into Ruben Amorim’s inaugural match at Ipswich Town, marking a year ago this week, Marcus Rashford gave Manchester United an early lead at Portman Road, sparking high hopes.

However, this optimism was short-lived. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, foreshadowing the challenges ahead as United ended Amorim’s first season in a disappointing 15th place.

This season hasn’t offered much improvement either, with United sitting in 10th after suffering a 1-0 defeat at home against Everton on Monday night.

GOALKEEPERS

Andre Onana – 3/10

Appearances under Amorim: 35 Goals under Amorim: 0

Man of the match in Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge of Manchester United… it’s fair to say that gave a false impression of what was to follow.

Put the whole stadium on edge given his propensity to make mistakes with Nottingham Forest (twice) and Ipswich Town at home, Viktoria Plzen and Lyon away, Tottenham Hotspur in Europa League final and Grimsby Town away in the Carabao Cup all springing to mind.

Had plenty of opportunities to show he can be reliable but he would always undo a good performance with a calamitous mistake to the point where Amorim and United cut their losses before this season even began.

Altay Bayindir – 4/10

Appearances: 14 Goals: 0

In the Amorim era, Turkish goalkeeper Bayindir has just two clean sheets in his 14 games, shipping 27 goals.

Bayindir was the hero in a penalty shootout at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup in January but highlights have been sparse.

Fans are still reeling from his displays against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup (4-3 loss), Newcastle United in the Premier League (4-1 loss), and the 2025-26 season opener against Arsenal (1-0) when he was bullied at a corner as the Gunners profited. His shaky Manchester derby display, too, wrote him out of the first-team picture.

Publicly Amorim backed him, but Bayindir never convinced and always looked to have a costly mistake in him.

Senne Lammens – 7/10

Appearances: 6 Goals: 0

Amorim did not throw him in at the deep end after joining from Royal Antwerp this summer. But after two defeats in the three games in which he sat out, Lammens was thrust into a side that went on to go unbeaten in five of the past six games.

He has brought a composure to United that other goalkeepers before him did not and while there are a couple of mistakes in there – Danny Welbeck’s free-kick for Brighton and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s winner for Everton – Lammens has been one of the net positives.

DEFENDERS

Diogo Dalot – 5/10

Appearances: 46 Goals: 3

One of Amorim’s favourites, only Bruno Fernandes has played more games under their fellow Portuguese than Dalot.

His three goals en route to the Europa League final were crucial, but largely speaking, Dalot is a source of real frustration among supporters for his limited production at wing-back.

Three assists in 32 league games is a sign that things probably won’t suddenly improve in that department despite being regularly picked to play there.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6/10

Appearances: 46 Goals: 0

Another Amorim favourite. He started 10 of the 11 games en route to the Europa League final and his versatility has meant Amorim has used him at centre back, left wing-back and right wing-back over his tenure.

The issue, outside of injuries this season, is that he simply does not have the attacking side of the game to play as a wing-back in a system that hinges on production from that position.

But constant deployment in those wing-back roles falls at Amorim’s door, not Mazraoui’s.

Leny Yoro – 6.5/10

Appearances: 45 Goals: 1

The Frenchman turned 20 just a couple weeks back and while he is far from flawless at this stage of his career, it is worth factoring in how impressive it is to be playing this often at his age, and given the enormous spotlight on the club.

He had a night to forget against Everton but there are clear signs that Yoro could be a very good footballer in the years to come.

The biggest question mark is around the ongoing insistence to play him at right centre back when his style of play would suggest he’s far better in the middle, or on the left. Sometimes it feels like he’s not being put in the best situation to succeed.

Matthijs de Ligt – 7.5/10

Appearances: 40 Goals: 2

The best of the bunch for defenders under Amorim.

He has stepped up as a leader and produced some clutch moments, most recently the late header at Tottenham to rescue a draw.

He played so well he’s now back in World Cup contention for the Netherlands, something that at one stage seemed highly improbable given their depth of talent in the centre-back position.

Harry Maguire – 7/10

Appearances: 40 Goals: 5

Maguire produced arguably the single greatest moment in the Amorim era with his late winner at Old Trafford against Lyon, and he has stepped up big time for his manager.

Seven goal contributions across 40 games – Lyon and his late winner at Anfield to beat Liverpool stand out – as well as being the player that often fronts up on and off the pitch when the going gets tough.

He’s not really a defender that fits Amorim’s system, but he gets the job done when that system inevitably breaks down and fails. Mr Reliable for the most part.

Patrick Dorgu – 4/10

Appearances: 32 Goals: 0

Brought in last January to be a spark plug for a team crying out for some reliability at left wing-back, Dorgu’s development has largely stalled.

Two assists across 32 games – in the second leg against Real Sociedad last season and this season in the league against Chelsea – tells the story of a young player who still looks every bit the raw prospect many suspected he would be.

He should improve but right now he is so up and down at a time where United are desperate for reliable production, especially given the good crossing positions that the Dane so often finds himself in.

Luke Shaw – 6/10

Appearances: 24 Goals: 0

The Englishman has gone from a relative non-factor last season to a mainstay in this one, having started all 12 games in the Premier League in 2025-26.

The Manchester derby defeat was particularly bad from a personal point of view, but Shaw has won plenty of plaudits so far this season to the point where his name has been bandied about in conversation for England once again.

Given his rotten luck with injuries, many had written him off, so he deserves credit for becoming a regular starter again, even if Gary Neville thinks he’s ‘conning’ people in the game.

Victor Lindelof – 5/10

Appearances: 18 Goals: 0 

Lindelof did step up in a big way to help United get past Athletic Bilbao and reach the Europa League final. Amorim handed him six Premier League starts last season and he even wore the captain’s armband in a defeat by Wolves.

Lindelof and Amorim were once team-mates at Benfica but it felt like the Swede was being picked out of necessity rather than want towards the back end of last season. Little effort was put into making him a future piece of this puzzle and he joined Aston Villa on a free transfer in the summer.

Lisandro Martinez – 5/10

Appearances: 16 Goals: 2

Was one of Amorim’s go-to men until suffering a cruciate ligament injury in February that he is only just now returning from.

High points include scoring at Anfield and the winning goal away to Fulham, as well as getting an assist at the Etihad Stadium. The low is mainly his lack of availability.

Given his technical skill-set as a passer from the back, there are high hopes he can be a huge component of an Amorim system that has looked largely very dysfunctional in his absence.

Ayden Heaven – 6/10

Appearances: 9 Goals: 0

Amorim has made all the right noises when it comes to Heaven and there is hope that he can go on to be one of United’s better centre backs in years to come.

But Amorim has not used him much since he impressed on debut in the Europa League against Real Sociedad, and a lot of fans are keen to see more of the man they poached from Arsenal’s academy in February.

Tyrell Malacia – 4/10

Appearances: 8 Goals: 0

In eight games under Amorim, the Dutch wing-back managed to play more than 45 minutes just once.

Fitness was always the issue with Malacia and he was not available enough to be a player Amorim could depend on.

He was absorbed into the ‘Bomb Squad’ during the summer before working his way back into the group through his good attitude after a move away failed to materialise. It seems unlikely, however, that he will play for the club again.

Harry Amass – 6.5/10

Appearances: 7 Goals: 0

The academy graduate deserves a huge amount of credit for forcing his way into the first team under Amorim, who has consistently shown how difficult a road that is for young players to navigate.

He got his breakthrough off the bench away to Leicester City in March, before starting in the league for the first time at Newcastle United.

The 18-year-old, who is now on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, was one of the bright spots of a historically bad 2024-25 season.

Tyler Fredricson – 5/10

Appearances: 3 Goals: 0

Fredricson is another who finds himself in the rare position of a United academy player handed a senior debut by Amorim.

Showed plenty of promise in that debut, a 1-0 home defeat against Wolves, but he was not put in a position to succeed in games away at Brentford and Grimsby Town, and was hooked at half-time in the latter.

He would benefit immensely from going out on loan to gain experience.

Jonny Evans – 6/10

Appearances: 3 Goals: 1

Three appearances under Amorim for the now retired Jonny Evans. He started the opening game of the Amorim era at Ipswich and came off the bench in the final league game of last season to see out a clean sheet against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

He played a limited role on the pitch but was a valuable sounding board off it, and is now leading the club’s loans department.

MIDFIELDERS 

Bruno Fernandes – 7.5/10

Appearances: 53 Goals: 17

Amorim’s most trusted lieutenant. Fernandes has played more games under Amorim than any other player and it is not just because he wears the captain’s armband.

He scored seven goals in the Europa League en route to the final after Amorim took charge and it was Fernandes’ under-performance in Bilbao that was most frustrating, given he has so often been the man to cover up for the clear and obvious problems in the team.

Repeatedly comes up with huge moments, whether it’s scoring at the Etihad Stadium, scoring a late penalty to beat Burnley 3-2, producing the cross for Maguire’s winner at Anfield, or the corner that was nodded in by De Ligt at Tottenham.

Debate still rages over whether United should cash in for Saudi money come the summer as part of a midfield rebuild but the word coming back from inside the club is: be careful what you wish for.

Manuel Ugarte – 4/10

Appearances: 44 Goals: 2

Has played under Amorim at Sporting and United but was very much in his bad books last week, publicly challenged for training at an inadequate standard.

Ugarte struggled badly in games away to Manchester City and Brentford this season when covering for Casemiro, and that is added to by the fact that Amorim reportedly confronted him in the dressing room in front of team-mates over his performance level.

United spent £50.5million to get him out of Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 but they are already planning an overhaul of central midfield next summer. Fallen well short of expectation.

Casemiro – 7/10

Appearances: 37 Goals: 5

When Amorim first arrived at the club Casemiro was, in his head coach’s own words, behind so many players in the midfield pecking order.

He had been written off by prominent pundits such as Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports and the general feeling was that he could no longer contribute.

That has not been the case and, this season in particular, Casemiro’s renaissance has been on full display. Daily Mail Sport wrote recently about how he’s turned it around with the help of those who know him best.

Amorim deserves credit for his role in squeezing better performances out of the Brazilian, who will now go to the World Cup as one of his country’s most important players.

Kobbie Mainoo – 5/10

Appearances: 37 Goals: 2

A lack of minutes for Mainoo has been one of supporters’ biggest gripes in the Amorim era.

The Portuguese head coach has given every impression that he doesn’t feel like he can trust Mainoo in the two-man pivot alongside Fernandes, while there are a surplus of options in the No 10 position ahead of the England international.

Mainoo hasn’t played more than 45 minutes in a league match this season and while the past year brought the high of scoring in that thriller against Lyon, being kept on the periphery is weighing so heavy on Mainoo that one of United’s own is seeking a loan move away in January.

It feels like he has been poorly handled.

Christian Eriksen – 5/10

Appearances: 22 Goals: 1

A real bit-part player under Amorim but he did become reliable amid injuries to others as he played in 11 of the last 12 league games last season.

Signed off his United career with a goal in the final league game at home against Aston Villa.

Never got off the bench in the biggest game of the season, the Europa League final, and was allowed to leave on a free transfer.

Toby Collyer – 4/10

Appearances: 10 Goals: 0

Got a handful of opportunities but never managed to convince Amorim in his cameos that he was ready for the step up to become a regular.

Made a key clearance off the line against Fulham but was then shipped off on loan to West Bromwich Albion in the Championship.

FORWARDS

Rasmus Hojlund – 4/10

Appearances: 40 Goals: 8

Given that Amorim’s system requires strikers to play with their back to goal too often, Hojlund’s big weakness, particularly in the Premier League, seemed to be amplified under this manager.

In Europe last season he had real moments of promise, scoring back-to-back braces against Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen.

Hojlund never kicked up a fuss and even in the most recent pre-season tour of the United States he went public almost pleading for the chance to get the opportunity, alongside new signings like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, to improve himself.

Amorim gave every impression he didn’t believe in Hojlund or in his ability to get more out of him, packaging him off to regain top form with Napoli.

Alejandro Garnacho – 4/10

Appearances: 40 Goals: 4

Played a ton under Amorim but their time together will be remembered for the bitter exit of one of the most talented players to emerge from the club’s academy in the past few years.

There was to be no coming back when Garnacho ripped into his manager for his limited involvement in the Europa League final, eventually spiralling into being frozen out until he could force through a move to Chelsea.

Certainly no love lost between Amorim and a player he didn’t believe was as good as Garnacho thought he was.

Amad Diallo – 7.5/10

Appearances: 39 Goals: 9

Perhaps the one player that has received the most coaching of any under Amorim, who it is fair to point the finger at when it comes to player development.

Amorim identified earlier that he wanted to use Amorim as a wing-back just like he did with Chelsea-bound Geovany Quenda.

Amad got an assist from that position in the first game of his time in charge away at Ipswich and has largely thrived there ever since.

The side looks to have far better balance with the Ivorian there given that the biggest criticism of Amorim is for having too many defensive-minded players on the pitch.

Amad has had plenty going on in his life off the pitch but he’s been a bright light since Amorim took charge.

Joshua Zirkzee – 4/10

Appearances: 38 Goals: 6

Featured in the first 21 games of Amorim’s reign, improving markedly after he was taken off 33 minutes into the game against Newcastle and went down the tunnel in tears.

Has been a relative non-factor this season, only managing 90 minutes of football in total prior to his first start against Everton on Monday.

He didn’t take that chance on the night and his future prospects now look ominous. A victim of the fact he doesn’t appear to have a natural position in Amorim’s system and there has been little attempt to accommodate him within it.

Hasn’t scored a Premier League goal since December 1 last year.

Mason Mount – 6/10

Appearances: 31 Goals: 4

A player that divides opinion but certainly one that Amorim is a huge fan of.

His biggest issue has been staying fit. A hamstring problem plagued him for an extended stretch last season and meant he scored just one Premier League goal under Amorim in 2024-25.

Shows flashes of being perfect for this 3-4-2-1 system but needs to do a lot more in terms of goals and assists if he is playing so high up the pitch as one of the No 10s.

His value extends beyond just numbers, but just two Premier League goals and zero league assists has to bring his overall rating down.

Bryan Mbeumo – 8/10

Appearances: 13 Goals: 6

The best Manchester United signing since Fernandes, plain and simple.

Mbeumo’s performances – he won Premier League Player of the Month for October – vindicated why Amorim and the powers that be at Old Trafford prioritised Premier League proven players.

Six goals and an assist across 13 games highlights just how important he has become to United’s mini improvement of late.

Has the fitness and stamina to meet Amorim’s tough physical demands that he places on players, is linking up well with Amad and is a dual threat for goals and assists.

Losing Mbeumo to the Africa Cup of Nations, potentially right until its conclusion with Cameroon targeting a deep run, is disastrous.

Benjamin Sesko – 6/10

Appearances: 12 Goals: 2

The Slovenian has taken plenty of criticism in the media for his displays, some of which has been overblown in my opinion.

Sesko has dramatically elevated United’s link-up play, where previously they were unable to hold the ball up with Hojlund. Now with Lammens’ long kicks and Sesko’s aerial ability they are a different beast in that phase of play.

But ultimately he will be judged on goals and he has just two to his name through 12 matches, which isn’t enough for a player that cost £73.7m.

Sesko is currently sidelined with injury for another couple of weeks and with the Africa Cup of Nations decimating this squad in other departments soon, it’s imperative he hits the ground running on his return.

Matheus Cunha – 6.5/10

Appearances: 11 Goals: 1

Those who pay sole attention to the stats will assume that Cunha, who scored 15 Premier League goals last season, has flopped at Manchester United given he’s scored just once for his new club.

That isn’t really a fair assessment of what Cunha has produced, often putting in very, very useful performances. It has been telling that United have looked significantly worse off without him in the team.

He has missed some gilt-edged chances – Fulham stands out – and did miss a decisive penalty at Grimsby Town, but overall the signs have been bright for the Brazilian since his £62.5m move, especially given he looks perfect for Amorim’s system.

Antony – 3/10

Appearances: 9 Goals: 0

Got 257 minutes of action under Amorim before being pushed out on loan after producing zero goals and zero assists.

He started just two of those nine matches which perhaps showed just how little faith Amorim had in a player that his predecessor Erik ten Hag bet the house on.

Chido Obi – 4/10

Appearances: 8 Goals: 0

Was thrown in out of necessity at the back end of last season due to a lack of forward options and while Amorim tried to be complimentary about the youngster’s performance at the time, he was much more forthright in the past week.

‘I think he started too soon and sometimes it’s hard to deal with that, with the kids, because they think that I’m already here,’ Amorim said. ‘No, you are here for necessity, and we need to be careful also with that, with the kids.’

It was a pretty pointed comment that didn’t surprise too many behind the scenes. Obi is developing well with the Under 21s this season while seeing some of his academy peers going past him in the battle to break into the first team.

Marcus Rashford – 4/10

Appearances: 6 Goals: 3

Just five games after he scored the opening goal of the Amorim era he was frozen out and eventually pushed out the door, first to Aston Villa and then to Barcelona.

Rashford went public that he was ‘ready for a new challenge’ after being left out of the squad for the Manchester derby last season. It became a real saga that was problematic for all involved.

With six goals for Barca on loan this season and his performances improving, he may well leave Old Trafford permanently for Catalonia in the summer.