It can't get any worse than this for Manchester United can it? It can. Especially if Ruben Amorim's beleagured Red Devils lose at home to Burnley on Saturday (August 30).
Most United fans look forward to the international break because it gives them relief from the torment of watching the team struggle. That's again the case ahead of the first pause of the current campaign following a diabolical Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby Town.
Amorim looked shellshocked and in disbelief at the events that unfolded on Wednesday night in the rain. When it rains, it pours and the Portuguese could soon be facing the storm he suggested had dissipated last season.
There are ways for Amorim to fight his way out of this and get United back on board. He needs to adapt as a coach if he wants any chance of being a success.
Show more tactical flexibility
Amorim has stayed loyal to his 3-4-2-1 formation and his stubbornness not to change it up even with his team struggling for results is one of the main criticisms of his tenure. He was even prepared to use Mason Mount as a makeshift left wing-back in the Grimsby defeat to ensure the system remained intact.
It's becoming a glaring issue and forcing players such as Kobbie Mainoo to be linked with a move away. His system only allows two midfielders and he needs a six to sit next to captain Bruno Fernandes who he's made clear is undroppable.
If Amorim were to show more flexibility he could then accomodate talent against different opposition. There is the argument that a three-at-the-back system doesn't work in the Premier League but if he could at least try out different formations this would at least show he's willing to find different formulas to guide United out of the current mess.
Stop sticking with letdowns
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see which players are underperforming for this United side. Manuel Ugarte sticks out like a sore thumb, giving possession away regularly and making rash fouls that often cause problems.
Diogo Dalot has been given chance after chance to show he's good enough and he simply isn't. He also isn't a wing-back which means getting him into Amorim's team is a losing battle. The Portuguese will fetch a reasonable fee so it's nonsensical INEOS aren't looking at a potential sale.
We will get to the goalkeeping department but there are so many players who are giving opportunities because of high wages and the fact they are saying all the right things. Casemiro is past his best, Matthijs de Ligt still hasn't reached expectations and Patrick Dorgu should have been bedded into the starting XI with more patience.
Demand two new goalkeepers
Andre Onana might just be the worst goalkeeper in United's history when you take into consideration his £42.7m fee, his status as David de Gea's direct replacement and his experience.
The Cameroonian has been shockingly bad and his performance at Grimsby should mean the end of his Red Devils career. But Altay Bayindir also isn't a worthy backup and proved this with shaky performances against Arsenal and Fulham.
United have been linked with Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Senne Lammens who is thought to be one of Europe's most exciting goalkeeping talents. But at 23, you're putting a ton of pressure on his shoulders to become an immediate number one.
That's why the club should ideally be looking for a more experienced option to arrive alongside Lammens. Even if that means looking at a reasonably priced Premier League goalkeeper with plenty of experience such as Fulham's Bernd Leno or Wolves' Jose Sa.
Emiliano Martinez is too overpriced and Gianluigi Donnarumma's wages will also be too expensive. Go for Premier League proven but won't eat away into the transfer budget.
Stop being so open with the media
Amorim needs to stop accepting so many interviews with media outlets because it's just causing a distraction and making him look foolish. Every week it feels as though he's either sitting down with Sky Sports for a Q&A or TNT Sports for comments on his long-term future.
The Portuguese is a good talker hence he was nicknamed 'the Poet' by former Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. But all his comments are in vein when his team put out performances as shambolic as the one we saw against Grimsby.
Amorim also gets obsessed with trying to give an honest assessment of the situation. That's admirable but also can lead to him losing the dressing room, one that he has already had issues with amid the departures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.