Ruben Amorim has suffered a turbulent start to his career as Manchester United’s head coach with his 3-4-3 system proving difficult for his new crop of players to adapt to.
Formations, quality of player and commitment to the cause are all key to Amorim’s new regime but there is also another element in play that’s impacting United’s form.
As reported by The Sun, analysists have put together a league table of luck to see who has benefitted from the most good fortune this season.
The table is made up by VAR decisions for and against, late goals for and against, errors leading to goals and number of injuries accrued since the start of the campaign. The figures generate an overall score out of 100 and the league table certainly makes for interesting reading.
United sit 11th in the league with a cumulative score of 39 with Newcastle ranked as the luckiest team on 72 points and Southampton bottom on 26 for context.
Amorim’s side have benefitted from just two VAR decisions this season with four going against them. United have bagged nine goals in the later stages of games, putting them in the top three for that metric whilst shipping just three times in the final minutes.
An alarming nine errors have led to the concession of goals, a stat Amorim will want to change along with the seven injuries that include some key players that may have eased the bedding in process for the Portuguese coach.
Crystal Palace and Arsenal join Newcastle in the top three of the luckiest teams with Liverpool in fourth. Ipswich Town and Everton prop up the table alongside Southampton in what would be the relegation places.
Interestingly, Manchester City are the only team in the league to not have had a VAR decision go against them this season.
Amorim will be hoping for lady luck to be on his side for the second half of the campaign in which there is still plenty to fight for, for United.
Despite their lowly league position, qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League was secured in style last night and Leicester City travel to Old Trafford in the 4th round of the FA Cup next week.
United will also be vying for a top half finish in the Premier League as they look to build confidence to take into Amorim’s first full season in charge.
Feature image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
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Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
