Fulham 0-1 Man United: Amorim bests Silva in ‘Mini Mourinho’ showdown

On the day José Mourinho celebrated his 62nd birthday, it was fitting that two of his fellow countrymen, both often compared to him, faced off in a Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

Mourinho’s enduring influence is clear in how subsequent Portuguese coaches are evaluated against his benchmarks. While some welcome this comparison, others prefer to separate themselves from it.

Man United head coach Ruben Amorim is an example of the latter. He acknowledges his friendship with the two-time European Cup winner and has learned from him, but their approaches to team management and tactics are quite different.

“I am a different guy. I hope to teach something different here to my players. It’s the best club in England. We want to win, that’s all,” he said in his first Old Trafford press conference.

“First thing, for me and all the Portuguese coaches, he showed that we can be best in the world. For a small country, it can put a stamp on everybody. But I am different from Mourinho, I am a different person.

“At that time [when he joined Chelsea in 2004], it felt like he could win everywhere. It is not the same thing. He was a European champion [with Porto], I am not a European champion.”

Instead of being referred to as the ‘Special One’, the charismatic Amorim has proclaimed himself as the right choice for the job. However, at this moment, that assertion doesn’t seem to hold true. The difficulties at United, though, extend beyond just the coaching position.

As Ralf Rangnick, his predecessor, pointed out, the issues stem from a top-down organisational perspective. The Red Devils require an ‘open-heart surgery’ approach if they are to compete for top honours once again.

Marco Silva, currently enjoying his time at Fulham following previous stints at three other English clubs, was once considered a potential successor to the Fenerbahçe coach. However, those comparisons have faded. Like Amorim, Silva built his reputation in Portugal, having also coached Sporting CP, although his time there was brief. In contrast, Amorim’s tenure was filled with trophies.

Those days seem like a long-ago memory. Although he’s still in the early stages of his tenure at United, Amorim picked up six league losses out of 11 matches leading up to this weekend’s game. This level of frequent defeat was uncommon for him during his time in Portugal’s top division, where he suffered his last six losses at Sporting over the course of 75 games.

United sought their third victory in seven matches, while the Cottagers, unbeaten in their last five home league encounters and having drawn four in a row, aimed to secure consecutive wins. This tactical clash between the Lisbon natives promised to be decisive.

Interestingly, today’s game marks only the second time in Premier League history that Fulham have started the day above United when the sides have met. The only previous occasion was in August 2012, when Fulham was in second place and Man Utd were in 16th; United won that match 3-2. Could history repeat itself?

The opening half was once again disappointing from a United perspective. For the twelfth consecutive game, they failed to score from open play in the first 45 minutes of a Premier League match. Furthermore, they’ve failed to score in the first half of 17 Premier League matches this season, the most of any side. Amorim’s side did not even manage a single shot on target. United obviously came up with a strategy to keep players behind the ball and limit Fulham’s opportunities, and they succeeded in doing so. However, the downside was that United showed very little ambition in attack.

Their centre forward, Rasmus Hojlund, only touched the ball 17 times, fewer than Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, making him the player with the least touches in that first half. Furthermore, looking at where he made those touches, they were mostly not in dangerous areas, with only one occurring inside the Fulham box. Hojlund was playing more as a link-up player when his team really needed is goals. Ultimately, it became clear why Fulham was favoured to win before the game. United, playing like underdogs, resembled a team that has lost six of its last nine league matches.

Hojlund lasted just 13 minutes into the second half before being substituted. This latest blank means he has gone eight consecutive Premier League appearances without scoring, with 500 minutes passing since his last goal.

Just when the game seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw, Lisandro Martínez scored with Manchester United’s fourth shot on goal and their first on target, breaking the deadlock just 13 minutes before the end. It felt unfair to Fulham, as the goal came against the run of play. However, United and their coach, Amorim, won’t mind, especially since they benefited from a significant stroke of luck with a big deflection that deceived Leno.

It was a significant moment, as United are now unbeaten in all 16 matches this season when they scored first. This includes 11 games in the Premier League, resulting in eight wins and three draws. Regardless of opinions about the current incarnation of the record English champions, they have proven effective at converting leads into victories.

Substitute Toby Collyer was crucial in securing all three points. In the 89th minute, Andreas Pereira’s corner was met by Joachim Andersen at the near post, resulting in a free header. He executed the shot perfectly, directing it towards the far corner, but Collyer was there to clear it off the line. Replays revealed it was just inches away from crossing the goal line. Anthony Taylor checked his watch, but it did not register a goal.

Amad Diallo had a late effort in the 95th minute disallowed for offside; despite their average performance, this was a much-needed return to successful ways. However, if the Red Devils are to climb up the Premier League table—currently sitting 12th after 23 matches—Amorim will need to quickly implement a system that puts opposing teams on the back foot.

With him inheriting a chaotic team a third of the way into the season and lacking the personnel to effectively carry out his preferred strategy, it may be a case of “needs must” until the new campaign begins. This suggests that more performances like this will occur, with United playing defensively and capitalising on opportunistic finishes.

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