Amorim's stumbling United could rue missed chances

At the last, Manchester United brought up their half-century.

- RICHARD JOLLY SENIOR FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT

They finished 2025 with 50 Premier League points, one fewer than Fulham, far behind Brentford and Brighton, Everton and Crystal Palace, 26 shy of Aston Villa. The 50th came against Wolves and it was just the visitors' third of a sorry season. United began a year in 14th and ended it in sixth. A year ago, they had managed to lose six games in a month, for the first time since 1930. Now they have only lost six this season, though one was on penalties to Grimsby Town. Viewed one way, it is progress. Though perhaps only through the prism of the almost artificial low that was 2025, the 15th-placed, 42-point finish that reflected Ruben Amorim’s failings and choices.

Tuesday’s draw with Wolves contained a twist on a familiar theme. United missed the chance to go fifth, a statement that is true so often that it is almost easier to just copy and paste it in. On this occasion, they also missed the chance to go fourth. Results can be a microcosm: the danger is that the season becomes a giant missed opportunity. Indeed, Gary Neville lambasted United and Amorim for “going backwards” as they were booed off at Old Trafford.

When nine English clubs are weighed down by their European commitments, when their prowess in continental competition is such that fifth place seems set to have the symbolic significance of conferring a Champions League place, this seems United’s chance.