Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has issued a scathing assessment of Manchester United’s current roster, claiming that the squad remains “average” despite significant summer investment. Speaking during a recent appearance on Sky Bet, the veteran pundit argued that only two of Ruben Amorim’s players—summer acquisitions Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo—possess the quality required to transcend mediocrity.
Souness expressed serious doubt regarding United’s ability to secure a Champions League berth this term, citing a lack of consistency and depth.
“Man United are still average. Is it Ruben Amorim’s fault? Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are good players, but the rest of them are an average lot. I don’t see them getting to the top four [this season], which they’ve to do. Manchester United [are the] biggest club in [English] football, maybe the second, third biggest club in the world. But right now, they’re going through a difficult period,” Souness remarked.
The Summer Overhaul Under Amorim
Ruben Amorim, who took the helm following a disastrous 15th-place finish in the 2024/25 campaign, oversaw a massive £230 million recruitment drive this past summer. The arrivals of Cunha (from Wolves) and Mbeumo (from Brentford) were intended to revitalize a stagnant attack. While both have performed well individually, Souness suggests that the surrounding cast has failed to elevate their game to the same level.
Premier League Standing and Top Four Race
Currently, Manchester United sits in 6th position on the Premier League table with 26 points from 16 matches. While this represents a significant improvement over last year’s form, the Red Devils are still fighting to bridge the gap to the top four. Opta’s latest projections align with Souness’s skepticism, giving United only a 9.14% chance of finishing in a Champions League qualifying spot, trailing behind rivals like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa.
The pressure on Amorim continues to mount as the team struggles to find defensive stability, having conceded 26 goals already this season—including a frantic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth in their most recent fixture.
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