‘I don’t think…’: Richards makes bleak Amorim prediction after ‘flat’ Utd claim measly point at Ipswich

Ruben Amorim kickstarted his Manchester United tenure with a gritty 1-1 draw away to Premier League newbies Ipswich Town last night.

It was nothing short of an ideal start for the new head coach after a tantalising run from Amad Diallo culminated with Marcus Rashford opening the scoring inside two minutes at Portman Road.

Then, continued encouraging play proved to be in vain when United were unable to add to their lead and, instead, conceded an equaliser through Omari Hutchinson just moments before the interval. With neither side at their most prolific in front of goal in the second half, the spoils were shared when Anthony Taylor blew his whistle. 

A large selection of supporters took to social media to voice their concerns over the players Amorim now has at his disposal courtesy of Erik ten Hag’s signings. He, perhaps, would’ve opted against acquiring the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, whose stagnant form has become something of a red flag in the last few months.

Amorim faces a lengthy wait before being able to alter his squad 

Of course, the first opportunity Amorim has to scout his own potential signings is in January, but United fans know better than to enter the winter window with the belief that a significant amount of money will be forked out by the owners. Ten Hag was resigned to shopping on the loan market in his two seasons, and you’d expect the situation will be the same this time around.

Micah Richards only echoed the sentiment on today’s instalment of The Rest Is Football – not without sharing his take on the match’s affairs first, though.

“They looked alive, they looked sharp. All the things you thought (would happen). I was getting excited, and then it just went flat,” he told host Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.

“I don’t think he (Amorim) is going to get the players he wants in January, but I think in the summer, we are going to see five or six players come in now. I just believe that. I was a bit disappointed in the showing. That’s not the manager – he needs time to implement his style. It was almost like a fizzy drink. I expected so much; they started so well, and then it just fizzled out a bit. On another day, Ipswich could have scored four or five.”