AMORIM'S LEFT THIGH AND DRY AS UNITED FLOP

MIDWAY through the first half, with Manchester United trailing, Ruben Amorin slapped his thighs in frustration over the failure of his players to carry out his instructions.

- by DAVID McDONNELL

The image of Amorim as a tortured soul has been a recurring one over his 10 months in charge, with eight wins from 31 Premier League games yielding little joy for the United boss.

It was a familiar story here, despite Amorim (inset) claiming ahead of the game with rivals Manchester City, who gave a debut to keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, that United were a “better team’ than last season.

After nearly a year in charge, and having presided over a summer spending spree, United fans are entitled to expect their team to be in a better place.

But they continue to regress, despite their summer additions.