Is history repeating itself at Old Trafford? Following a disastrous EFL Cup exit, Ruben Amorim’s early morning dash to training has everyone drawing comparisons to Erik ten Hag’s final days. The pressure is immense, the results are bleak, and the Red Devils are in turmoil. Can Amorim escape the shadow, or is his fate already sealed?

Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has plunged into a profound crisis following a humiliating EFL Cup defeat, drawing unsettling parallels to the final, tumultuous days of his predecessor, Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils, under Amorim’s leadership, suffered an astonishing upset against Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup, a result that sent shockwaves through the club and intensified scrutiny on the Portuguese coach. After a 2-2 draw in normal time, United’s hopes were dashed in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, leaving supporters and pundits questioning the team’s direction.

In a desperate bid to salvage momentum and demonstrate his commitment, Amorim arrived at the Carrington training ground well before dawn the day after the defeat. This early return, hours ahead of his squad, underscored his determination to confront the team’s dire form and meticulously prepare for the upcoming fixtures.

This immediate, intense response by Amorim strikingly mirrors actions taken by Erik ten Hag in his final months at Old Trafford, particularly following a crushing defeat that many perceived as the beginning of the end for the Dutchman. Both managers found themselves battling intense pressure after poor starts to their respective campaigns.

The warning signs for Amorim are undeniably stark, with Manchester United currently winless after three fixtures across all competitions. His bleak 35 percent win ratio as manager paints a troubling picture, suggesting that a significant turnaround is needed swiftly to avoid a similar fate to his predecessor and navigate this Man Utd crisis.

During the ill-fated clash at Blundell Park, Amorim cut a dispirited figure on the touchline as Grimsby stormed to a surprising 2-0 half-time lead. Despite second-half strikes from key players offering a glimmer of hope, United’s revival crumbled in the penalty shootout, with summer acquisitions notably failing from the spot, adding to the EFL Cup heartbreak.

When pressed to explain the catastrophic performance, Amorim offered a candid and apologetic assessment. “Everything. The way we started the game, we were not even here,” he stated, lamenting the repeated mistakes and expressing profound regret to the club’s loyal fanbase, acknowledging a profound problem within the team.

Following the late return to Carrington after the Grimsby defeat, Ruben Amorim returned to the training ground nearly four hours before his players were due to report. His unwavering focus is now on the crucial Saturday clash with Burnley, a vital Premier League fixture that feels like a must-win to lift the team out of its precarious position near the relegation zone before the international break.

The stakes for the upcoming fixture could not be higher; three points are essential for a much-needed morale boost. Anything less, however, threatens to deepen the current crisis, potentially sending Ruben Amorim down the very same treacherous path that ultimately led to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.