Magnus Carlsen, the chess legend known for outsmarting the world’s best, has shifted his strategic eye to football. And he’s not impressed. After Manchester United’s crushing 3-1 loss to Brighton, Carlsen didn’t mince words. His advice? Sack head coach Ruben Amorim.
The Norwegian grandmaster, who once shared time with Cristiano Ronaldo, aired his frustration on social media. The message? Loud and clear.
A Season to Forget
Let’s face it. Manchester United’s season has been anything but stellar. Since Amorim took charge in November, the team has played 15 matches. The results? Seven losses and just six wins. In the Premier League, they’ve managed only three victories.
What’s missing? A spark. A game-changer. The kind of firepower United fans crave.
Goals Hard to Come By
Post-Ronaldo, the Red Devils are struggling to find the net. Sure, Marcus Rashford had an incredible 2022-23 season with 30 goals. But lately? He’s been off the pace.
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Sunday’s match against Brighton was a painful reminder of United’s attacking woes:
- Yankuba Minteh scored for Brighton in the 5th minute.
- Bruno Fernandes gave fans hope with a penalty in the 23rd minute.
- Brighton struck back with Kaoru Mitoma’s 60th-minute goal.
- A critical blunder by Andre Onana handed Georginio Rutter the decisive goal in the 76th minute.
Another disappointing day at Old Trafford.
Carlsen’s Brutal Assessment
After the game, Carlsen didn’t hold back. On X (formerly Twitter), he posted a two-word critique:
“Amorim out.”
Amorim out
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) January 19, 2025
And he’s not alone. Fans are frustrated with the team’s lack of cohesion and Amorim’s refusal to adapt his 3-4-3 system.
United’s Freefall
With 26 points from 22 games, Manchester United sits 13th in the Premier League. A whopping 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City. This is not the United fans know.
The problem
- A rigid formation.
- No clear direction.
- A lack of belief on the pitch.
- The Cristiano Ronaldo Effect
When Ronaldo left in December 2022, he didn’t just take his incredible stats with him—145 goals and 64 assists in 346 matches. He took the aura. The spark.
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His first stint at United? Legendary. Three Premier League titles. One Champions League trophy. But his second stint ended on a sour note, leaving a void that’s still unfilled.
What Needs Fixing?
To rise again, United must address these key areas:
- Leadership: Is Amorim the right fit? If not, a change is overdue.
- Goals: Without a reliable scorer, the attack will stay toothless.
- Tactics: Sticking rigidly to one system isn’t working. Flexibility is key.
- Unity: A team that believes in itself can overcome anything.
The Way Forward
Manchester United has a history of bouncing back. Think of the Ferguson years. The trophies. The glory.
But history only helps if lessons are learned. If changes are made. And if everyone—players, fans, and management—pulls tog, and
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