Manchester United’s final game of 2024 felt like the moment the big top began to fall at the Old Trafford circus.

So far, United’s disasters over the last decade or so have escalated to levels that most other clubs can only dream of: finishing last in a Champions League group; eighth in the Premier League but won the FA Cup; lost a Europa League final 11-10 on penalties.

As we approach 2025, the ground on which this weekly entertainment show is built is crumbling to a fundamental level.

After Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, Newcastle United’s 2-0 win handed them their third consecutive home defeat in the league for the first time since 1979. It was their sixth defeat in all competitions this December, the most they have suffered in a single calendar month since September 1930. They will finish the year in 14th place, their lowest position at this point since 1989.

United performs like an inverted trapeze artist – “Roll up, roll up, be amazed at how low we can go!”

In the midst of such a spiral, the relegation places fade into the background, only seven points behind. Instead of rejecting the suggestion of a fight for survival, Ruben Amorim rejects it. “We have to recognize our position,” he said. “I think people in this club have had enough of excuses. Sometimes I talk about relegation. Because our club needs a shock.”

Amorim, as charming as he continues to be, gives detailed and open answers. That got him so far that he won two titles in Portugal and got him the job as Erik ten Hag’s successor. Still, it is startling to hear a United manager speak in such terms and it will be interesting to see the impact on his team.

A sardonic assumption might be that a trip to the Championship would provide the necessary excuse for further streamlining of INEOS, but no-one is seriously planning a 1974-style reboot to relaunch the club.

Amorim also suggested United would need to change coaches before abandoning their 3-4-2-1 approach and the remedy for him is huge. He completed just four full training sessions with a squad built for a different system – the quality and athleticism of which are becoming increasingly apparent as the weeks go by.

United fans voiced their opinions and sang “Amorim’s Red and White Army” warmly on either side of the break.

The man himself said: “I have to sell my idea, I have no other. If I keep changing, it will get worse.”

Amorim’s commitment is commendable. But using Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield was an idea that was forgotten at the start of last season, let alone in the middle of this one. As expected, Newcastle were far too strong in midfield for Amorim’s team.

The sight of Bruno Guimaraes passing the ball around Eriksen on the way to Newcastle’s second goal was painful from United’s perspective.

It was one of the most disastrous openings at Old Trafford in recent memory. After 25 minutes, when United failed to register a single attempt on goal, Newcastle recorded eight shots, four of which were on target, three of which were big chances defined by Opta. That didn’t include two vicious corners from Kieran Trippier, which could be seen as genuine attempts on goal given the recent goals against United. When Sandro Tonali entered United’s penalty area to fire a clear shot that hit the post, there was uproar.

Instead of one of the two 32-year-olds in midfield leaving and United needing goals, they replaced Joshua Zirkzee, a player who was reportedly bought as a striker. Amorim took part in a brutal, surreal spectacle for 33 minutes.

Loud cheers greeted the rise in Zirkzee’s numbers and although some fans booed this cruel reaction as a show of solidarity, the 23-year-old, a £36.5million summer signing, headed straight for the tunnel. A few minutes later he actually showed up, although he had his hood pulled up as he sat on the bench.

Kobbie Mainoo came on and helped prevent a blow, but the light comedy continued. Casemiro quite plausibly delivered the biggest miss possible and then shot into the goal from close range. Mainoo, to whom Fabian Schar had given the ball, had, for reasons that were not entirely clear, decided to play him instead of Rasmus Hojlund or Amad at four against two.

At one point, Harry Maguire tried to create urgency by rushing forward with the ball, urging Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot to run forward. Obviously frustrated, his pass went behind both of them and out of bounds. (It’s notable that United haven’t scored in three consecutive games. Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have started at full-back.) Even Amad was affected, as he squandered a good counterattack by passing the ball into play.

United took advantage of set pieces, with Eriksen using free kicks around the halfway point to get the ball into the box. A long throw from Dalot caused chaos. In one of those situations, the closest Maguire came to scoring was when he hit the post.

Hojlund cut a forlorn figure, a combination of his own limitations and poor service presenting him with an opportunity which he squandered.

Marcus Rashford remained on the bench until the final whistle. It was his first appearance in a matchday squad after four absences. He scored a brace in his last Premier League start, against Everton earlier this long December, but there are good reasons why Amorim kept him out.

He was recalled against Newcastle as Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were suspended. But despite the circumstances, he stayed in his seat. More humiliating than not being there at all? Or the first step towards reintegration? Time will tell.

“I’m not claiming anything,” said Amorim. “I think about the team. You think about Marcus a lot. I just want to win the game and you can feel that. I’m talking about the idea and the fight to stay in the league and want to score a point during a game? No, I just want to win the game.”

The boost from the 4-0 win over Everton, in which Rashford and Zirkzee scored twice each, has worn off and much about United feels like a tightrope walk at the moment.

(Header photo: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)