What Ruben Amorim did immediately after Bruno Fernandes red card speaks volumes amid Man United crisis

Manchester United suffered their eighth Premier League defeat of the season at Molineux, falling 2-0 to Wolves. Second-half goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan sealed the result, with Cunha’s opener coming directly from a corner — the second time United have conceded from a corner in a week. Wolves secured the victory in stoppage time when Cunha broke clear and selflessly set up Hwang for a simple finish past Andre Onana.

United’s poor performance was compounded by a moment of indiscipline from captain Bruno Fernandes, who received a second yellow card for an ankle-high challenge in the second half. This marked his third red card of the season, although the one he received against Tottenham was later rescinded on appeal.

The dismissal left United down to 10 men, significantly hampering their chances of a comeback. Despite the setback, Fernandes will only miss one game—the home clash against Newcastle on December 30—and will be available for the away trip to Liverpool on January 5.

Rúben Amorim’s reaction to the sending-off drew attention. As Fernandes left the pitch, Amorim, while delivering tactical instructions to his team, visibly turned away in apparent disgust, refusing to acknowledge his captain. When asked about the incident post-match, Amorim expressed his frustration during an interview with Amazon Prime:

“Yes, of course [he should have been more careful while on a yellow card]. It’s so hard to win games in this league with 11 men; with 10 men, it’s even more difficult. So we have to focus on that.” He also acknowledged, “The sending off was really hard for us,” emphasizing the impact of Fernandes’ dismissal on the team’s performance.

The result continues a challenging season for United, with Amorim under pressure to address both tactical and disciplinary issues as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.

Manchester United’s turbulent Premier League campaign continued with a 2-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux, marking their eighth league loss of the season. The match highlighted ongoing issues in both defense and discipline for Rúben Amorim’s side.

**Key Moments of the Match:**
– **Conceding from Set Pieces:** Matheus Cunha opened the scoring directly from a corner, the second such goal United have conceded in a week, underscoring defensive vulnerabilities.
– **Stoppage-Time Finish:** Wolves sealed the win when Cunha unselfishly set up Hwang Hee-chan for a straightforward finish, capitalizing on United’s desperation to equalize.
– **Bruno Fernandes’ Red Card:** United’s captain received his third red card of the season, this time for an ankle-high challenge. The dismissal left United with 10 men and diminished their hopes of a comeback. Fernandes will miss the upcoming Newcastle game but will return for the critical clash against Liverpool.

**Amorim’s Post-Match Reaction:**
Amorim expressed his frustration with Fernandes’ lack of caution while on a yellow card, stating:
> “It’s so hard to win games in this league with 11 men; with 10 men, it’s even more difficult.”

His visible displeasure as Fernandes exited the pitch—turning away in apparent disgust—further highlighted his dissatisfaction with the captain’s indiscipline.

**Concerns and Next Steps:**
The defeat adds pressure on Amorim, who faces the dual challenge of addressing defensive frailties and improving team discipline. United now sit 14th in the Premier League, dangerously close to the relegation zone, with upcoming fixtures against Newcastle and Liverpool crucial to steadying their season.

As the January transfer window approaches, Amorim may need to consider reinforcements to stabilize the squad and navigate what has been a tumultuous campaign so far.