Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has delivered a scathing assessment of the Red Devils following their 2-0 defeat to Wolves on Boxing Day at Molineux. The result leaves Manchester United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, with pressure mounting on manager Ruben Amorim.

Owen, speaking on Premier League Productions, described United’s performance as “absolutely awful,” particularly in their attacking play, which he said lacked creativity and purpose.

The former England international pointed out issues with United’s defensive setup and their inability to transition effectively into attack.

“I’m looking at the Manchester United team half the time there [against Wolves] and they have got three players marking one at the back,” Owen said. “You’d never see a Liverpool team doing that; they’d all go man for man and if they’ve got spare men, they’d push them into attacking areas.”

He continued, “That’s probably what he [Amorim] is working towards, but at the moment, even if they weren’t conceding many goals, I wouldn’t be getting carried away because the team isn’t functioning. They’re absolutely awful going forward; I can’t think of a chance that they had there today.”

Opinion: A Crisis of Identity at Old Trafford?

Owen’s harsh critique underlines a growing concern among fans and pundits: Manchester United appears to lack a cohesive identity under Amorim. The defensive hesitancy and attacking inefficiency he highlighted reflect deeper structural issues within the team.

United’s current position in the league table is alarming for a club of their stature, and while transitions under new management take time, the lack of visible progress raises questions about the direction Amorim is steering the team.

However, it’s worth noting that rebuilding a team in a competitive league like the Premier League requires patience. Amorim’s tactical philosophy, though currently struggling to translate into results, might yield success with the right reinforcements and adjustments.

The Path Forward

The defeat to Wolves should serve as a wake-up call for Manchester United. Immediate improvements are needed, particularly in their attacking setup, to regain momentum and climb the table. For now, fans will hope that this setback ignites a response from the players and manager alike as they head into the second half of the season.

Manchester United’s legacy is built on resilience and reinvention; whether Amorim and his squad can live up to that remains to be seen.