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Stand-in Manchester United captain Lisandro Martínez did not mince words after another frustrating night at Old Trafford.
“The lads are very disappointed,” he told broadcasters following a 1–1 draw with Wolves. “We expect better.”
So did the supporters, who booed the team off at full-time — and with reason.
A Missed Opportunity Against Struggling Wolves
This was a Wolves side arriving in Manchester on the back of 11 consecutive league defeats, still on course to rival Derby County’s infamous record as the worst Premier League team ever. Tuesday’s draw was their first point since early October, yet United still failed to capitalise.
As the second half wore on, frustration spilled from the stands. The familiar chant of “attack, attack, attack” rang out as United laboured to create clear chances. Moments later, head coach Ruben Amorim made a baffling change — replacing centre-back Ayden Heaven with another defender, Leny Yoro, with 15 minutes left.
Meanwhile, teenage forwards Chido Obi and Shea Lacey — raw, but at least attacking options — remained unused on the bench.
A Pattern of Underwhelming Home Performances
“Expect better” has become the defining theme of United’s recent home form.
In the space of weeks, they have:
- Lost to 10-man Everton
- Failed to beat third-bottom West Ham
- Conceded four goals to Bournemouth
Yes, they beat Newcastle on Boxing Day, but that win now feels like an outlier rather than a turning point.
Table Position Masks Deeper Issues
The surprise is not the frustration — it’s the league table.
United end 2025 in sixth place, level on goal difference with Chelsea, who currently occupy what is likely to be the final Champions League qualification spot. They cannot drop below seventh by the end of the match round on 1 January 2026.
On paper, it looks respectable. On the pitch, it does not.
Amorim Stays Confident — Despite Absentees
Amorim remains publicly optimistic.
“I’m really confident,” he said. “We just need to recover all the players.”
And to be fair, his injury list is extensive.
Mason Mount became the eighth absentee after failing to recover from the issue that forced him off at half-time against Newcastle. Bruno Fernandes was sorely missed, while Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Kobbie Mainoo is also sidelined following a training-ground injury picked up before the defeat at Aston Villa on 21 December.
The result? A glaring lack of creativity.
Limited Options, Familiar Problems
With Matheus Cunha below par and Benjamin Šeško still adapting, Amorim’s only realistic attacking alternative was Joshua Zirkzee.
The £36.5m summer signing from Bologna has struggled to convince, barely featuring for much of the season. Even after scoring — albeit via a deflection — he was withdrawn at half-time.
Under the circumstances, it is hard to escape the conclusion that all parties would benefit from a January exit, with Serie A side Roma reportedly keen to take the Dutch forward back to Italy. United could then reinvest in a player capable of genuinely raising the team’s level.
“Everyone Turned Up Expecting a Win”
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already expressed concern about the money spent on players failing to deliver. Zirkzee is just one of several examples.
Wolves manager Rob Edwards said he warned his players at half-time about the negativity in the Old Trafford crowd.
“Everyone turned up expecting a win — maybe a comfortable one — and it wasn’t that,” Edwards said.
Amorim, while refusing to hide behind injuries, acknowledged their impact.
“When you play Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, it’s different to having Mainoo, Mount or Bruno,” he said.
“That’s normal. When players return — and when the Afcon players come back — the fluidity will change.”
Still, his verdict on the night was damning.
“We lacked fluidity, quality and the creation of chances. Then we conceded from a set-piece. These details decide games.”
Better Is Still the Minimum
It feels more fundamental than missing personnel. As Martínez put it, better is expected.
As 2026 dawns, it increasingly feels that Manchester United’s winter transfer window will determine whether this season becomes a genuine push for the top four — or another campaign defined by frustration, false dawns and unfulfilled potential.
