Ruben Amorim approaches Manchester United’s return to Premier League competition with fresh hope, but a demanding run of fixtures now looms large. The team faces four significant challenges that could determine the direction of their season, starting with a daunting visit to Liverpool.
The convincing 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break gave the Portuguese coach a timely boost after the damaging defeat at Brentford a week earlier. That performance was one of the most composed displays of his tenure so far and briefly eased the pressure that had been building.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s minority owner, has publicly supported Amorim, stressing that his project will take several years and pointing to Sir Alex Ferguson’s slow early progress in the late 1980s. Yet, if results do not improve significantly on last season’s 15th-place finish — United’s lowest since the relegation year of 1973–74 — few are likely to accept words alone.
Currently sitting 10th, and having managed just ten league victories in 34 matches since Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag, United are still searching for their first back-to-back league wins under the current boss. The coming weeks will be crucial in proving whether that progress is possible.
Anfield test kicks off a challenging sequence
The trip to Liverpool on 19 October (16:30 BST) is, on paper, the toughest of the four. United have not claimed a league victory at Anfield since 2016 and scored just once across eight visits until last season.
Their most recent meeting ended 2-2 in January, when Lisandro Martínez gave them an early lead — their first at that ground since Wayne Rooney’s winner nine years earlier — and Amad Diallo’s late goal rescued a point after Harry Maguire missed a golden chance in stoppage time.
Amorim highlighted the importance of intensity that day, noting that United are at their best when fully committed in every phase. Supporters echoed the sentiment, praising the spirit on display but questioning whether it could be sustained consistently.
Brighton at Old Trafford: a recurring struggle
Six days later, Brighton visits Old Trafford — a fixture that has caused United persistent problems. The Seagulls have taken three consecutive league wins in Manchester, and their 3-1 success in January exposed familiar flaws.
Although Bruno Fernandes leveled from the penalty spot after a counterattack, and Brighton briefly had a goal ruled out by VAR, defensive lapses cost United again. Kaoru Mitoma’s unmarked finish at the far post restored the visitors’ lead before Andre Onana’s handling error gifted Georginio Rutter a third.
Amorim was blunt afterwards, acknowledging the bleak run of results and the weight of history it carried. Fans were equally critical, pointing out the broader lack of purpose in United’s display rather than focusing solely on the goalkeeper’s mistake.
Nottingham Forest away: old faces, familiar pain
The trip to the City Ground on 1 November brings back difficult memories. Last season’s 1-0 defeat came courtesy of Anthony Elanga — a former United player sold to Forest in 2023 — who sprinted the length of the pitch to score the only goal.
Amorim lamented the manner of the strike, which came from a United set piece and exposed their vulnerability in transition. Supporters were harsh in their post-match verdicts, questioning his tactical choices, in-game management, and adaptability.
Spurs trip closes the decisive stretch
United’s run ends with a visit to Tottenham on 8 November, another ground where recent experiences have been painful. Spurs defeated Amorim’s team four times last season, including in the Europa League final, denying them Champions League qualification.
In February, James Maddison’s early strike gave the hosts a 1-0 victory in London, completing Tottenham’s first league double over United since 1989–90. Amorim summed up the defeat simply: Spurs took their chance, United did not.
A defining month ahead
This sequence represents a pivotal spell for Amorim’s United. Liverpool away may draw the most attention, but it is the fixtures against Brighton, Forest, and Spurs — all of which ended in defeat last term — that may ultimately shape perceptions of progress. The coming weeks will reveal whether the optimism of Sunderland can spark a genuine turnaround.
