Arsenal legend Ian Wright says sixth would be a ‘perfect’ finish for Manchester United this season considering the mess Ruben Amorim has taken over from Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag was relieved of his duties last month and United moved quickly to wrap up a deal for his sucessor, with Amorim – previously sounded out by Manchester City – officially appointed just days later.
However, Amorim remained in charge of Sporting until this month’s international break and United fans had to wait until Sunday to see the 39-year-old Portuguese in a Premier League dugout for the first time.
Amorim could hardly have dreamed of a better start against Ipswich as Marcus Rashford directed home Amad Diallo’s pinpoint cross to break the deadlock inside two minutes.
But Omari Hutchinson equalised on the stroke of half-time, with Andre Onana twice keeping out Liam Delap, and Ipswich were perhaps unfortunate not to come away from Portman Road with victory.
The 1-1 draw means 12th-placed United have dropped points in three of their last four matches in the English top flight and Amorim will no doubt be desperate to get his first win under his belt at home to Bodo Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Analysing the match the morning after on Optus Sport, ex-Arsenal and England striker Wright encouraged United supporters to be ‘patient’ with their new head coach.
‘The way they started and even without the ball, it looked more structured. It didn’t look as easy to get through them,’ Wright said.
‘It did feel a little more in control but, again, it still came down to Onana making two saves, otherwise it could have been totally different and the headlines this morning could have been different for him.
‘What I did like about what he says is how it’s not results that are going to change, it’s the performances at the moment.
‘You’ve got to be patient, Manchester United fans, simply because we can see from the performances and the players that he’s probably going to get, this will work for him. It will work and it’s the performances that are important.’
Wright believes the season should be considered a positive one from United’s perspective if the club manage to ‘blast themselves up into sixth’ by the end of the campaign.
‘Because Manchester United were 14th when it was all happening and he’s coming in, he gives me the impression of someone that has been given time: “Just do your stuff and play your football”,’ Wright added.
‘That’s his formation, he said that when he took the job… “That’s how I know how to play and that’s how we’re going to play”.
‘I believe once he gets his players in and they start getting it, it is a free hit against these teams for the rest of this season because Manchester United were in 14th!
‘Whatever he gets from the end of this season is only going to stand him in good stead for the summer because if it does finish well for him, they’re going to probably give him whatever he wants.
‘For this season, if Manchester United can blast themselves up into sixth and all that, it’s perfect for what they’re doing with a new manager. Sixth, easy!’
Should United fans be happy with sixth this season?
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Yes
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No