Wolves chairman Jeff Shi could be seen mingling outside the Molineux dressing rooms with a wide grin on his face. The West Midlands journalist in the mixed zone was given the opportunity to speak with a Wolves player, as no Manchester United players were willing to discuss the disappointing result.
United’s loss to Wolves on Boxing Day saw them plummet to 14th place in the Premier League standings, prompting questions about the threat of relegation during Ruben Amorim’s press conference.
Covering United at the moment feels surreal, with many predicting a challenging season after Ineos made the wrong decision to support a manager who was clearly struggling.
Amorim’s attempts to mold a squad that doesn’t align with his philosophy have been challenging, with most of the players not meeting the required standard. Outgoing transfers at the end of the season seem inevitable and much needed.
Bruno Fernandes’ red card made United’s task against Wolves even more difficult, leading the club captain to make an early exit to the team bus. Rasmus Hojlund also left promptly, declining to chat with reporters.
Although Christian Eriksen politely declined to speak to the media, his actions on the pitch showed dedication despite the tough circumstances at the club.
Matthijs de Ligt, unused as a substitute, extended a helping hand to United staff before departing, highlighting his humble nature in contrast to others.
Alejandro Garnacho and Leny Yoro had contrasting reactions as they left the stadium, while Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot made a point to acknowledge questions from reporters.
Amorim departed for the team bus engrossed in his phone, displaying the toll that managing such a high-pressure club was taking on him. His silent presence in the dressing room reflected his coaching style, allowing players to conduct their own debriefing.
Antony’s impactful performance off the bench didn’t go unnoticed, although potential criticism from former player Roy Keane for swapping shirts with a Wolves player after the loss was considered. The task ahead for Amorim is daunting, as the demanding nature of the job becomes more apparent.
As I left the stadium, a Wolves staff member expressed disbelief at United’s current state, emphasizing the scale of the challenge facing Amorim.
