Once again, another International break has halted the season in England. The Premier League will have to wait once again as countries play out their games in qualification campaigns. However, for the Head Coach of Manchester United, it is time to reflect, contemplate and ultimately congratulate himself.
It had been a torrid few weeks for Amorim with question marks over his job, being dumped out of the League Cup by League Two side Grimsby and then ultimately confusing performances in the league.
However, wins have been picked up, performances have improved, and United look like there is a plan in place on the pitch. The big assumption is that things are clicking with the Red Devils, but where it clicks into place in terms of a realistic ceiling is yet to be seen in such a tender part of the season.
But with the international break coming after a dramatic fightback against Spurs, United have entered a weekend of rest by not dropping all three points in a situation they would have done last year, unbeaten in five games, and both the manager and new winger (Bryan Mbuemo) have awards to merit their achievements.
So, with Amorim more secure, for now, in his position, what is the plan moving into a busy Christmas period and the ideas for the January transfer window?
Keep a consistent lineup up- it helps the defensive mistakes
For the first time in what seems like forever, you can near enough name the Manchester United starting XI in terms of who has performed the strongest. With the addition of Sene Lammens in goal, United look like a secure unit that will not leak goals like they did last season. In turn, that feeds into the defensive contingency of Lenny Yoro, Mathias de Ligt and Luke Shaw (with the addition of Harry Maguire), the side looks more alert and aware of each other.
A warm United welcome to our new goalkeeper: Senne Lammens! 🧤🇧🇪
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 1, 2025
The defence of Manchester United always set the foundation for successful sides, no matter how good the attack is in their history and this season could be no different.
Amorim has to work on his squad in terms of substitutions
In the previous three games, United looked less like the side that went to Anfield and dominated and more like the shaky side that lost games last year at times. That is not to say the fight-backs against Spurs and Nottingham Forest were not an excellent sign of team camaraderie and commitment, but running it close against Brighton was unnecessary.
This is where Amorim has been let down by his substitutes not meeting the pace of the game quickly enough, leaving his team in the lurch and sides taking advantage of them not being at the level of the substituted player.
It will be harder for Amorim to have players always match fit and ready to go, given he only has the league at this current stage to field his players in, but it is a conundrum he is going to have to figure out. Perhaps United will see a difference after this international break, with eight more Man United games until the New Year (which is in five weeks after the resumption of the Premier League).
Resolve the Kobbie Mainoo situation
It seemed that Manchester United had the centre midfielder they had been crying out for coming through the ranks. It was just over a year ago that Mainoo was scoring in the cup final against Manchester City and starting a European Championship final for England.
However, since Amorim has arrived, Mainoo has not been given the chance or shown that he should be a regular in the Manchester United team. The issue goes both ways with Amorim potentially thinking he was on the side of the “bomb squad” he took out of the first team situation, and that Mainoo is reportedly not a hard worker in training by not doing the hard miles.
It almost looks like the relationship is far too strained and Mainoo will be departing Manchester United, but for the sake of a local lad who has all the talent at his feet, you hope the issue can be resolved amicably, and if he is to leave the club a replacement is already lined up.
Tie Casemiro down for another year on a reasonable contract
If fans were asked about Casemiro when Amorim took over, they would say his career with Manchester United is over. However, he has become an unlikely key figure in his side.
Not unlikely in terms of experience and quality, he has shown at Old Trafford or throughout his career, but his decline in athleticism has been very apparent. Yet Casemiro is still working hard to show that he cares about his career with Manchester United.
United have conceded 20 goals this season, but they have only conceded five of them when the Brazilian was on the pitch. With his contract up at the end of the year, Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be hoping the Real Madrid legend is willing to take a pay cut to stay at the club.
A more permanent solution to LWB
It is becoming a problem area for Amorim and Manchester United. It is still to be seen whether it is one that needs to be resolved in time internally or with a purchase in the January transfer window.
Both Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot have been employed at LWB this season, and both have been unconvincing; particularly Dalot who looks like a liability at times in Red this year.
With Dorgu struggling for form and looking awkward at times in this patch of games, Amorim could look to move Luke Shaw back out wide or bring in summer signing Diego Leon, who is reportedly chomping at the bit to show what he has to offer at Old Trafford.
Reports have linked Inter Milan’s Dimarco as a stopgap replacement while Dorgu, Diego Leon and Harry Amass all develop. It is not a poor option.
In the meantime
Amorim will 100% is a positive time to work with his side on tactics and the preparation of the resumption of the Premier League with Everton and Crystal Palace; two sides with different outlooks on the game.
United will be keen to get back out there and put a lot of egg on the many doubters they have had this season.