Amorim Explodes at Players After Manchester United Crashes to Historic 94-Year Low

Ruben Amorim urged his Manchester United squad to "mature" after they lost their way "in terms of playing style" during a disappointing 1-1 stalemate with Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

United, mirroring their performance against Arsenal the previous week, began energetically against their London hosts. Matheus Cunha struck the woodwork and prompted a superb stop from Bernd Leno before Mason Mount earned a spot-kick for the away side. Bruno Fernandes failed to convert from twelve yards, though United eventually grabbed a second-half advantage through a Rodrigo Muniz own goal.

However, that moment marked the beginning of their problems according to Amorim.

"I believe we found the net and then lost our way in terms of how we approach the game," the United manager reflected after witnessing his team surrender control during the closing thirty minutes. "We desire victory so intensely, which represents positive emotion. We netted a goal and every player on the field was considering: 'Let's preserve this lead and attempt to secure the victory.'

"We must mature significantly as a collective. For me the crucial aspect is that throughout the week they put in tremendous effort, today we put in tremendous effort, and we will continue developing."

Yet another match without three points leaves Amorim approaching some undesirable milestones. The Portuguese manager has secured merely 16 victories from 44 matches across all tournaments since taking the United helm. That disappointing success rate of 36% represents the poorest record achieved by any permanent Manchester United boss since Herbert Bamlett's tenure ended in 1931 (31%).

Bamlett guided United into the lower division that season after dropping the opening 12 matches of the campaign and possibly performed his finest service for the club during his period as a match official. The former referee oversaw proceedings as United fell behind to Burnley in the 1909 FA Cup quarterfinals. Bamlett called off the match due to severe snowfall and the Red Devils triumphed in the rescheduled encounter en route to claiming the trophy for the inaugural time in their existence.

There was scarcely a cloud in the pale blue atmosphere above Craven Cottage on Sunday, yet both Fulham and United had grounds to criticize referee Chris Kavanagh. Fernandes held the official responsible for his penalty miss while Fulham expressed anger over the decision to permit the match's opening strike.

Calvin Bassey insisted he had been fouled by Leny Yoro before the French center-back nodded the ball off Muniz's shoulder from a second-half set piece. "It's a clear foul," Bassey complained to Sky Sports afterward. "He made contact with me to prevent me from reaching the ball. When the official reviews it, he will feel regret. I cannot elaborate further before receiving a sanction!"