Manchester United have been backed for a shock Premier League title tilt as a former Red Devils coach feels that 'positive power' is finally building under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. With their latest win at Anfield over reigning champions Liverpool, United have finally registered back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time since the Portuguese coach took charge of the club.
'Positivity building' under Amorim
Amorim's journey at Old Trafford has been far from plain sailing as in his maiden season, United finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to secure a slot in any of the European competitions. The head coach naturally made full use of the summer transfer window as he splashed big money to secure transfers for stars like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in a bid to bolster his squad.
The Red Devils' miseries, though, continued in the 2025-26 campaign despite the heavy spending, as after six Premier League matches they had registered just two wins and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup second round by fourth-tier club Grimsby Town. However, things may have started to change for good at United, because after securing a routine win over Sunderland they next beat Liverpool at Anfield, a feat they achieved for the first time in nine years.
AdvertisementAFPMan Utd backed for Premier League title run
After the win over the Reds, United only climbed to ninth position in the Premier League table, although they are only two points behind third-placed Liverpool. Arsenal are currently top, enjoying a three-point cushion to second-placed Manchester City. While many believe that the title race will involve those three teams, former United coach Rene Meulensteen sensationally claimed that it is far too early to write off the Manchester club from the title race.
Speaking to , Meulensteen said: "There will be little twists and turns around the corner. If Arsenal lose maybe one or two players and maybe they lose one or two games, everything changes. That could easily happen in a run-in. So I still think Arsenal, Man City, and Liverpool are going to be fighting for the Premier League and we can’t rule out Man Utd if they go on this run we are hoping for. It could be three wins in a row and suddenly the whole momentum shifts into a positive power. Then suddenly it could be wide open because they’re only two points off Liverpool despite how the season has started."
Ex-United coach hails Liverpool
Meulensteen also spoke about his compatriot Arne Slot and Liverpool's sudden dip in form after losing three successive matches in the Premier League to Crystal Palace, Chelsea and United. The Dutch coach said: "I have high respect for Arne Slot because I’ve known him for so long. He won’t change. He’ll be the same, very measured and very honest in his opinion and observations. He doesn’t make things worse than they really are because he knows they are playing some really good football and creating chances, they just don’t put them in the back of the net.
"Last year, sometimes you catch a wave, you catch a flow, and everything that you hit goes in. Now they’re hitting a wave that goes against them. You have to ride the wave, turn around, and jump back on it. But that can only be done by not changing anything."
Getty Images SportAmorim has his players' backing
After the win over the champions last weekend, club captain Bruno Fernandes had shown support towards the United boss and he claimed that the players believe in his system, amid fierce criticism over his tactics in the past months.
Fernandes told reporters: "Our shape always gives teams issues. It is a little bit ungrateful to talk about shape when we lose games and in the same way I am grateful to talk about it when we win. We always believe in the system, whether we win or lose, but it's about doing the right things in the right moments. We had moments we had to suffer and we did that in the game and the main thing is to do the same thing and believe what we prepare is what is going to give us the win."