Ruben Amorim breaks more unwanted records at Man Utd amid Bruno Fernandes taunt

Manchester United are entering a season-defining weak off the back of another defeat and Ruben Amorim is facing fresh questions about his work so far as head coach at Old Trafford

Manchester United are licking their wounds again after another chastening defeat away to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Captain Bruno Fernandes may have said the team showed “personality” despite losing 4-1 at St James’ Park but the result leaves Ruben Amorim’s team three points ahead of 17th position.

And with the second leg of their evenly balanced Europa League quarter-final against Lyon to come on Thursday night, there is no time for United to feel sorry for themselves. Victory in Europe can offer the club a route into the Champions League – and boost the coffers to strengthen Amorim’s squad in the summer.

Here are the big stories at the start of a crucial week at United.

READ MORE: Dan Burn hailed as a ‘legend’ for actions after being involved in minor car crashREAD MORE: Bruno Fernandes puts positive spin on Newcastle thrashing – ‘I prefer Man Utd losing this way’

‘I am the Bruno’

Bruno Guimaraes sent a not-so-subtle message to Bruno Fernandes after scoring Newcastle’s fourth goal against Manchester United on Sunday. The Newcastle captain finished calmly past Altay Bayindir after the United goalkeeper couldn’t clear Joelinton with his attempted pass and he celebrated passionately.

The last goal put the icing on the cake of Newcastle’s emphatic second-half performance in their 4-1 victory at St James’ Park. And Guimaraes wasn’t shy to make his feelings heard, repeatedly shouting “I am the Bruno” while pointing to his chest and the name on the back of his shirt before kissing the badge.

Record breakers

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side will officially post the club’s worst showing in the Premier League era. The defeat at Newcastle means they can no longer reach the previous all-time low amount of points – which was 58.

Even a stellar end to the season would see them hit 56 points – which will be the lowest total they’ve posted in more than 30 years. United have set a number of unwanted records this term and it has long looked as if they will surpass the eighth place finish from last term for all the wrong reasons.

Erik ten Hag presided over that effort, but it now looks as if the club will finish in the bottom half for the first time.

Amorim future

The Red Devils have taken just 23 points from a possible 63 in the Premier League since Ruben Amorim took charge, with the club having sacked Erik ten Hag in October.

The sack question might sound premature, especially given Amorim’s attempts to radically change the Red Devils’ style of play and with so many players underperforming, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe has set a precedent.

With all of that in mind, and as a portion of supporters call for the axe to be wielded once again, we asked Mirror Football’s writers the looming question for our Big Debate: should Amorim be sacked?

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